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Reviews
Shei de qing chun bu mi mang (2016)
Very beautiful and nostalgic Chinese romance film of days long past
Once again, I am struck and awed at how different Chinese nostalgia films of your younger and more innocent years are from Western and Hollywood movies.
I think Chinese films are more raw and honest, in certain ways, than American films, in this matter, more clean and in some ways less complicated, focusing on the little things which make each and every one of us human more than the somewhat superficial elements some Western movies frequently like to employ.
The Chinese title for this film is Shui de chun tian bu mi mang, which roughly translates to, "Whose years of youth are not dazed?" The protagonist in this movie is a girl named Lin Tianjiao preparing for a major high school exam which determines whether or not she will be able to go to the university of her dreams, working and studying hard late into the night every single day to become No.1 in her class and earn top grades.
However, her life is complicated when her paths cross with a new classmate, Gao Xiang, who is much more rebellious and independent and far less studious than she. He believes that you should not behave and act according to the judgment and expectations of others or the world, but walk your own path in life while chasing your dreams first and foremost. Under her strict mother, Tianjiao for her part chose to put aside her own love for astronomy in order to focus on academic matters above all else.
While the two characters have a difficult and tense relationship at first, as they begin to interact more, they begin to see different sides to each other, and Tianjiao slowly softens to Gao Xiang, whom she begins to regard as not only a classmate, but as a confidant and a dear friend. When she learns Gao Xiang, having quit school, is going to leave with his grandfather, and having not even said a final goodbye to him, Tianjiao is forced to make the ultimate decision of her own life, one which inevitably reshapes her entire future.
A deeply powerful and re-affirming film to the strength of the human spirit, the power of young love, the complexities of growing up and finding yourself, and how following your heart can sometimes be just as important as following your duties.
Ge wu qing chun (2010)
Somewhat entertaining movie for some people, less so for others
Musicals are a relatively new and uncommon thing in Chinese culture and society, even today not nearly necessarily as well-known or popular as in the United States and Europe, and so I think it is at least interesting for a Chinese cast and crew to attempt making one.
Despite its name, the movie is set in a college setting, I think because the producer said in China, it is the college years which are far more carefree and enjoyable than the high school ones (while the reverse can be true in some Western countries).
It is not quite as well-made as the original High School Musical films, and far from perfect indeed, but again, I think it was a fairly good and concerted effort to make a Chinese-style musical film, showing the difficulties and struggles of young people in today's China and their occasional clash with the older generation and their families as they struggle to realize and pursue their own dreams and passions. Suffice it to say, this is about two young people and their shared desire to express themselves through music despite opposition from her parents and authority figures.
The music while a bit showy wasn't at all so bad, especially the song sung in the auditorium at the end of the movie, akin to Breaking Free from the original film. Certainly not the best film and could have been better, but not exactly the worst either in my opinion, give it a try, maybe you'll enjoy it more than you thought.
San wa (2005)
Awesome Martial Arts and Ancient Chinese History Movie
If you like Jackie Chan, major action and battle scenes, and ancient Chinese culture, all mixed in with just the right touch of comedy and romance, then this film is surely for you.
The film's title is "Myth" and its plot involves an ancient general of the Qin Dynasty, who was tasked with escorting a princess from Korea as a concubine to the Chinese Emperor. The mission goes awry, and the two of them get separated from their convoy as they struggle to make their way to the Chinese capital, slowly bonding on the way. While they both realize that they have feelings for each other, the general chooses his duty to the Emperor over his love for the princess, and the two are forced to go their separate ways.
Thousands of years later, a Hong Kong archaeologist named Jack, the apparent reincarnation of the ancient Chinese general, has recurring dreams of his ancient past, leading him on a journey which finally reunites with his long-lost love, only to have tragedy fall once again just when happiness seems within their grasp. The Chinese song in the movie, "Beautiful Myth" which features both Chinese and Korean lyrics, is one of the most moving pieces of music I have ever heard.
A beautiful and gripping story of just how elusive happiness is when paired with the burden of responsibility, as well as a testament to the long-lasting nature of true love.