Actress Zhao Tao and actor Liao Fan star in Jia Zhangke's latest film, Ash Is Purest White.[Photo provided to China Daily]

With complex characters and a small-town setting, Jia Zhangke's new gangland flick, Ash Is Purest White, is an epic nostalgic tale told over nearly two decades. Xu Fan reports.

Over the past 16 years, Jia Zhangke has seen five of his directorial movies nominated for the Palme d'Or, one of the movie world's most prestigious awards.

Again, his latest effort, Ash Is Purest White, was nominated for the honor at the recently held 71st Cannes Film Festival, as well as being selected to compete in a further six categories: best actress, best actor, best director, best screenplay, the Jury Prize and the Grand Prix.

However, while Jia's film failed to topple Japanese rival Hirokazu Kore-eda's Shoplifters for the top prize, the 48-year-old auteur is optimistic about the future.