This tale of familial warfare and sacrifice takes place in hard-pressed Shanghai at the end of the 1940s. Hu Zhiqing can barely support his wife and children, and his situation is worsened by the unexpected arrival of his mother, brother and sister-in-law. When he is fired by his unscrupulous boss, the whole family becomes embroiled in one emotional/economic struggle after another.
China
China
On the neo-realism: Shanghai tip, with its careful depiction of kitchen-sink settings, overcrowding and urban sprawl... but they weren't afraid of making the big melodramatic gestures when they had a chance. A modernizing and urbanizing population wasn't unique to China in the late 40s -- Mexican tearjerkers like Un Rincon Cerca Del Cielo formed a whole cycle of films related to that social issue, but here in China is the only place where we see a broken economy, working only for the one percent (and creating a society ripe for revolution.)
At least four of the lead actors were very strong in their roles, beautiful performances throughout.
I was kinda dragging my heels on this week's Film School Drop-outs challenge - "Maoist Cinema" - even though it fit perfectly into the World challenge too. Mostly because there were a lot of options and I had no idea where to start - but in the end I went for the only film on the list of suggestions that was easily accessible without having to drag through YouTube. And I knew I'd made the right choice almost immediately, because this film opens with a cat-related prank! No better way to get me on board than a cat-related prank.
The story here introduces a family living on the poverty line in Shanghai. In the letters that the father has been…
Lots of talking in Mandarin which means reading lots of subtitles. The film is of a young couple and their young daughter trying to make a living in Shanghai but just scraping by. The husbands extended family, including his elderly mother, arrives from the country to permanently stay with them. The husband loses his job thru no fault of his own.
The film is about the husbands struggles to find enough money for housing and food for his wife, daughter, mother, and his extended family, all totaling 10. That’s it, that is the entire plot of the movie. So there is a lot of talking from everyone about what he should do to provide food, clothing, and shelter. Also they…
A Shanghai family's precarious existence is further destabilized when their country relatives come to stay and their factory is shut down.
Melodrama reflecting life in the margins in post-war China. Conflicts between country and city, tradition and modernization, capitalism and communism all get highlighted throughout. While the verbal resolution is that the family's problems are due to "the times we're living in" the film makes clear that foreign influence and a corrupt bourgeoisie are to blame and that communal support is what will see people through.
Nicely acted and shot (barring some awkwardly-handled style choices post-pickpocket scene). There's some humor but it's natural and not broad, and while the politics are present they are not heavy-handed.
Watched for Film School Drop Outs 2021 - Week 12: 15-21 March, movement - Maoist Cinema
Provides a valuable glimpse into Chinese social culture on the eve of revolution, and reminded me a lot of Street Angels, which I saw last year.
Not totally sure if the moral endings works, but damn, is it ever an indictment of the bourgeoisie and an appeal to communist values.
