Zhang Yimou masterfully reveals the essence of the dynamics at work in Chinese society and the impact of traditional culture and modern day politics on the lives of individual citizens and families in China. Whether you support the quixotic quest of Qiu Ju and her sidekick Meizi (translation: younger sister) or not you will fall in love with the sincerity, purity and simplicity of their hearts. These qualities (among others) that endear so many of the real people whom we ("foreigners"/non-Chinese) meet, while living in the People's Republic of China, to us are represented with amazing clarity and realism. The story and plot line are very (almost too) simple; but the character development, and presentation of village, city, and district politics in China and the vast differences between people's lives in those settings is so interesting and intriguing that the movie will keep you amused, interested, and excited, and have you wishing to see more as the credits start rolling at the end of the movie. This was one of the few movies that actually had me feeling as though I was back in China among so many wonderful friends, sights, and smells, and re-experiencing the oddly comfortable sense of chronic culture shock. I would recommend this movie to anyone who truly wants to better understand our brothers' and sisters' situations in China and to have your heart and mind opened and broadened. The movie is spoken in the Shaanxi dialect of Chinese (although I could understand much of it with my limited fluency in Mandarin) and subtitled in English. Even though it is really a drama many of the comical and sweet interpersonal situations in this movie will have you laughing out loud as you learn to see into the hearts of the characters and look upon the vast cultural differences with more respect, compassion, and understanding. I am happy to own this movie and plan to share it with others who are open-minded enough to consider and appreciate what this fine work of art represents.
Review of The Story of Qiu Ju
