This movie is masterful social criticism in that it criticizes both the past and the present, something that is difficult to accomplish.
As the result of the Cultural Revolution, some old type of folk arts such as the one described in this movie becomes increasingly rare, but in the era of market reform, everyone is interested in making money and folk arts that has great social/historical/artistic values but could not make big bucks are faced with extinction because nobody wants to learn it.
This movie plays a positive role in alerting the public about the endangered ancient folk arts.
As the result of the Cultural Revolution, some old type of folk arts such as the one described in this movie becomes increasingly rare, but in the era of market reform, everyone is interested in making money and folk arts that has great social/historical/artistic values but could not make big bucks are faced with extinction because nobody wants to learn it.
This movie plays a positive role in alerting the public about the endangered ancient folk arts.
