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davidisrael
Reviews
Zhifu (2003)
Well worth seeing
I watched Diao Yinan's Zhifu (UNIFORM) at the DC FilmFest last year. It made a strong impression at the time -- and it lingers in memory (now many months later) as a work that afforded an intriguing experience.
In some respects perhaps Zhifu exemplifies a new esthetic model gradually emerging with the DV medium. While a fictional story, UNIFORM feels very close to real life: to the ambiguous, low-temperature, mundane texture of life in much of the world. ... The deeper lessons of experience are not summarized in plot lines. They're etched out in the slow toils of living.
The story & relationships are built gradually and naturalistically. The closing scenes of Zhifu were (for me) particularly affecting. Kudos to Diao for guts -- & for what seemed a distinctive, understated style, and an interesting, individual viewpoint.