Opening Day: 21 February 2008 at THE PICTUREHOUSE

Synopsis:

After wrapping a performance in a rural town, a struggling chinese opera troupe, is informed by its director that its sponsorship money has gone missing. Now left without funds the troupe must disband, at least for a while until more money can be raised. Each of the performers are forced to take on odd jobs to make ends meet, adding friction to their already bumpy marriages and friendships. Ma San, whose wife is desperate to leave China for a better life in France, attempts another ancient art cock fighting with his prized rooster Bruce; Liu Bing opens a photo studio with the not-so-desired help of his in-laws; and Sihai sells stolen puppies while waiting for his wife Sumei, the troupe's diva, to return from seeking work in the south.

Movie Review:

Every once in a while, it is nice to see a film that does not boast of big movie stars, high production values and sophisticated computer generated effects. Every once in a while, it is films like that which make you feel the sincerity and earnestness of storytelling that is sorely missing in many filmmakers nowadays. And that is why we adore this Mainland Chinese film directed by Chen Daming.

The 106-minute picture tells stories of three different men who have lost their jobs at an opera troupe. Taking on new jobs which are awkwardly amusing, the photographer, the dog seller and the cock fighter now have to make ends meet while balancing life while keeping “one foot off the ground” (an interesting reference to a traditional opera school punishment which is briefly seen in the film). The three stories are nicely interwoven together when there is hope of reuniting the opera troupe together in the film’s finale.

The first thing that strikes you is the simple way of life which the characters seem to enjoy. Also, we get to see traditional performances of Chinese opera which youngsters are not exposed to nowadays.

The unknown cast is one of the main draws of this heartfelt production. The colorful cast of characters is engagingly brought to life by these actors. The happily-married photographer played by a down-to-earth Yao Lu faces temptation in the form of an aspiring actress. The failed dog seller (watch out for the Dalmatian scene – it reassures the notion of how anything can be counterfeited in China) is broodingly played by a charmingly moody Jin Hong. The comical cock fighter with a problem with his own, err, “cock”, is hilariously played by a winning Li Yixiang. The supporting roles of a diva opera singer, a talent scout, a seedy opera director and a housewife who wishes to go to France make up the rest of well-developed characters in this movie.

The characters are well-written in a way that each affects another’s life, especially towards the end of the movie when situations take a change in direction – like life itself, you won’t know what may be happening next.

This being Chen’s second feature film, it is evident that the work’s other main draw is its authenticity in storytelling. Filmed in the province of Henan, central China, the film gives us urbanites a glimpse of what the world is like out there without fast-speed computers and highly efficient working systems. Instead, the people lead their lives with nice doses of human touch. So when the director paints a picture of a rapidly growing China faced with globalization and a clash of traditional practices and modern wants, it makes us rethink what our priorities in life should be about.

The light-hearted comedy also offers several laugh-out-loud moments, where references to kung fu legend Bruce Lee, the famous Taiwanese boy band F4 and the prominence of counterfeits in the Chinese community are made. Within these comedic moments is an agreeable and refreshing story which is about that slice of life which we may have overlooked in a world that is moving too fast.

Movie Rating:

(A sincere film that entertains as well as provides a fresh perspective on life)

Review by John Li