This powerful, revealing study of Chinese rural politics depicts a system in which corruption, fear, and opportunism thrives. Within the small farming community in which the film is set, there is a growing culture of distrust and duplicity, one that fosters a low regard for life and self-worth. One is tempted to draw a parallel between the village and China itself, but it's just as tempting to draw a wider parallel with the aspirations of globalization. This film is a damning indictment of the ageless human impulse for power and the corruption that inevitably follows in its wake - one of the very best films of the year that no one saw.
2 Reviews
A fascinating, woefully under-seen film
ametaphysicalshark2 May 2008
Note: seen on CBC's "The Passionate Eye".
I can't write at length about this film simply because I haven't seen it in a long time. It definitely made a significant impression on me, however. I really love that the CBC shows such unpopular films with no hope of video release and gives us the opportunity to see them. Our tax dollars are going to good use, and it is simply disgusting to see so many Canadians complaining about the quality of Air Farce's new episode while completely ignoring the quality documentaries we see every week, presented in their correct aspect ratio as well.
I really hope that Jinchuan Duan gets another chance to make a film because his first effort with this film is very impressive indeed. He (I'm assuming the director is male, sincere apologies if I'm incorrect) is certainly selective with what he chooses to show, but makes a powerful statement on globalization through the lens of this small village in China that nobody really cares about. Although a side-note in the final cut of the film, it is very interesting to observe this small-scale democracy in a Chinese village (the national government is of course authoritative). The interaction between the villagers and the thirst for power even at this small scale is fascinating and makes a good point about the world, and does so quite subtly.
Very few people have seen this film, but hopefully it will eventually be seen by more people through some sort of video release, but the chances are low, to say the least.
9/10
I can't write at length about this film simply because I haven't seen it in a long time. It definitely made a significant impression on me, however. I really love that the CBC shows such unpopular films with no hope of video release and gives us the opportunity to see them. Our tax dollars are going to good use, and it is simply disgusting to see so many Canadians complaining about the quality of Air Farce's new episode while completely ignoring the quality documentaries we see every week, presented in their correct aspect ratio as well.
I really hope that Jinchuan Duan gets another chance to make a film because his first effort with this film is very impressive indeed. He (I'm assuming the director is male, sincere apologies if I'm incorrect) is certainly selective with what he chooses to show, but makes a powerful statement on globalization through the lens of this small village in China that nobody really cares about. Although a side-note in the final cut of the film, it is very interesting to observe this small-scale democracy in a Chinese village (the national government is of course authoritative). The interaction between the villagers and the thirst for power even at this small scale is fascinating and makes a good point about the world, and does so quite subtly.
Very few people have seen this film, but hopefully it will eventually be seen by more people through some sort of video release, but the chances are low, to say the least.
9/10
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
