Timeless Romance (Chao shi kong ai lian) China (2019) Dir. Tian Tian Many of us spend our lives trying to meet the expectations of others but rarely do we succeed if we don’t know where the fault lies. Clearly, we need help identifying these weaknesses but whom do we turn to? Maybe we don’t need … Continue reading Timeless Romance (Chao shi kong ai lian)
Better Days (Shao nian de ni)
Better Days (Shao nian de ni) China (2019) Dir. Derek Tsang As someone who as bullied at school and in my first two jobs, I can say with assurance that it is a truly soul destroying ordeal for anyone to endure. We are always told we should tell someone if we are being bullied but … Continue reading Better Days (Shao nian de ni)
The War Of Loong
The War Of Loong China (2017) Dir. Gao Feng When it comes to war the French have long been dismissed as “surrender monkeys”, which is a little odd when you consider the immense legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte. It also seems to have slipped a lot of people’s memories that they were once upon a time … Continue reading The War Of Loong
The Wild Goose Lake (Nan Fang Che Zhan De Ju Hui)
The Wild Goose Lake (Nan Fang Che Zhan De Ju Hui) China (2019) Dir. Diao Yinan Disclaimer - No geese were harmed in the making of this film. In fact, I don’t think any actually appear in it which is just as well, as there are a lot of nasty people betraying each other and … Continue reading The Wild Goose Lake (Nan Fang Che Zhan De Ju Hui)
To Live (Huo zhe)
To Live (Huo zhe) China/Hong Kong (1994) Dir. Zhang Yimou Political regimes will always hurt someone. That is a fact. The poor will always be at the bottom of the heap under a plutocracy, the unskilled and undereducated suppressed by a meritocracy, and Communism tends to screw everyone except for those at the very top. … Continue reading To Live (Huo zhe)
So Long, My Son
So Long, My Son (Cert 12) 1 Disc DVD (Distributor: Curzon/Artificial Eye) Running Time: 178 minutes approx. China is a complex country to us outsiders, and no doubt quite vexing to its inhabitants too. It can’t seem to make up its mind if it is a new capitalist superpower or one of the few remaining … Continue reading So Long, My Son
Happy Times (Xing fu shi guang)
Happy Times (Xing fu shi guang) China (2000) Dir. Zhang Yimou Lies and the lying liars who tell them. Even in the name of love, it is not a good idea to try to impress your prospective partner with a tiny - or massive - fib but some people can’t help themselves. Surely, no good … Continue reading Happy Times (Xing fu shi guang)
Shanghai Dreams (Qing hong)
Shanghai Dreams (Qing hong) China (2005) Dir. Wang Xiaoshuai Parents only want the best for their children, as they should, which is something children should be grateful for, but children also deserve the chance to grow up and live a life with some independence. When parental desire overrides that of the child, it creates a … Continue reading Shanghai Dreams (Qing hong)
Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down (Wan mei jia qi 168)
Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down (Wan mei jia qi 168) China (2014) Dir. Jeffrey Lau Why can’t people be more honest with each other? This question has been asked since time immemorial yet we can’t help ourselves from continually making the same mistakes over and over from not telling the truth. Then again, the … Continue reading Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down (Wan mei jia qi 168)
Vortex (Ting er zou xian)
Vortex (Ting er zou xian) China (2019) Dir. Jackie Gan Quite often, the decisions we make in life are directly influenced by the sort of person we are. Someone with an addictive personality would be more likely to make rash, possibly dangerous decisions, whilst level headed people are presumed to be more rational in their … Continue reading Vortex (Ting er zou xian)
