To Live (1994)
It’s hard to stayed banned when you’re the greatest director in China.
Presentation:
China’s greatest director Zhang Yimou is incapable of making a bad film. What makes his work stand out is his prestigious storytelling, rich cultural value, authenticity, and eye for cinematography. The compositions are beautifully presented including a gorgeous Gong Li depicted throughout equally beautiful Chinese landscapes and countrysides. Although the plot of a normal family enduring the Cultural Revolution may seem simplistic at a glance, the richness of narrative comes from their universal struggle and rising and falling of status.
Conclusion:
This is perhaps the more culturally substantial film portraying down to earth common people but has less entertainment value than Farewell My Concubine. Although the book it is based on is popular in China, this film has been banned for its more subtle critique of the hypocrisies and mismanagement of the Great Leap Forward. Were Zhang to not include the political dissidence, I’m not sure the international acclaim would be as high, but then again, it is integral to the story. It’s because of this film that Zhang Yimou was banned from making films in China for 2 years. But when you’re the greatest director of your country and make films as good as these, it’s hard to stay banned for long. Luckily after public pressure and rehabilitation, his ban was lifted and we have more films from him. Slightly below Raise the Red Lantern but still one of the purest representations of the Chinese family.
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