Nicely acted and directed, this movie was ruined in post production when someone decided to add music to tell viewers what they should be feeling.
This short, serious study of corruption in the cultural revolution could get the director banned from future movie making in China. It is not a simplistic, hollywood formula like "Seven Years in Tibet" and the video quality gives it a more authentic documentary feel. The subtitles are good, though the nonverbal acting of both lead characters is subtle enough to carry the film without words.
But whoever decided to add the music track should be banned from movie making for life. No music at all would have been much more effective.
This short, serious study of corruption in the cultural revolution could get the director banned from future movie making in China. It is not a simplistic, hollywood formula like "Seven Years in Tibet" and the video quality gives it a more authentic documentary feel. The subtitles are good, though the nonverbal acting of both lead characters is subtle enough to carry the film without words.
But whoever decided to add the music track should be banned from movie making for life. No music at all would have been much more effective.