Reviews

Lu Wenting is a mother and a hard working eye-doctor in early 60s socialist China. She is an outstanding surgeon and a devoted socialist, but she feels that she is not fulfilling all her duties as a mother and a wife. Both work and family is demanding and after 18 years of hard work she falls ill and ends up as a patient in her own hospital and is forced to reflect on her life and work. The film is the archetype of a socialist movie with an all good hero protagonist, but the film also raises the question of if it is worth to sacrifice everything for society and whether personal dreams and aspirations have a place in such a sacrificial life. The film won the "Golden Rooster" and "Hundred Flowers" awards in China in 1983 for best film. I guess anyone who have experienced socialist China during the 60s and 70s would be moved by this story, and this is the audience the film was made for. Its not a bad film and the acting is very good, as is the music. And I love the tinted colors of the film, light and soft, probably due to bad quality.

Directed by Wang Qimin and Sun Yu Cast: Pan Hong and Da Shichang

An impressive and very ambitious production about the rise and fall of dictator Yuan Shikai (1913-1916). Also some pretty good acting from Zhang Yu and Wang Xingang. Brilliant photo and the lighting is very carefully done. Very true as far as to costumes, props etc.

A modern Chinese black comedy about some Beijingers trying to cope with new Chinese politics and the opportunities they bring. With photo obviously inspired by Danish director Lars von Trier and cuts pumping like a disco-beat, this film has a very European touch, but with a story deep rooted in Chinese modern society it is perhaps best appreciated by Chinese or people who´ve spent some time in China. It is very different from director Zhang Yimou´s other features.