China,
2000, 87 min
Shown in 2002
CREDITS
- dir
-
Wang Guangli
- prod
-
Tang Ying, Wang Guangli
- scr
-
Zhang Xian
- cam
-
Lu Yuqing
- editor
-
Li Tian, Chen Huifang
- cast
-
Gu Longxiang, Wang Jianxin, Zhang Baozhong, Zhao Yongshen, Zhong Lingjun, Zhou Yuhua
- source
-
East Line Entertainment, Beijing Film Studio, PO Box 11, 77 North Third Middle Ring Road, Beijing 100088, China. FAX: 86-10-8202-6147 EMAIL: cory@east-line.com.
- premiere
-
U.S. Premiere
-
COMMENTS
Wang Guangli in person.
OTHER
China’s ever-changing social and economic climate is examined in this deeply humanistic true story of six laid-off state workers who buck the system and form their own property renovation company in Shanghai. Persuaded by director Wang Guangli to reenact their personal trials and professional tribulations, the film’s half-dozen heroes essentially play themselves; so convincing are they in every real-life situation—from negotiating with crooked contractors and caring for elderly parents to counting cab fare and spinning a lazy Susan—that it’s difficult to believe this isn’t a straight-up documentary. Wang emphasizes the “reality” of his reconstructed workers’ triumph by utilizing handheld cameras, natural lighting and unadorned sets. Working within his own Dogme-style aesthetic, Wang shoots from the hip primarily to put his fascinating characters front and center amid a jam-packed metropolis still reeling from Mao-or-never ideology. Singing socialist anthems, arguing over games of mahjongg and staking their fortune on lottery tickets, our six plucky entrepreneurs forge China’s future, believing that, “When you’re down, you have to go for broke.” Wrapped up in a compelling narrative and refreshingly light treatment, the film’s message won’t be lost on legions of unemployed Bay Area dot-commers.
—Steven Jenkins
FACTOID #273
In 2006 the Festival widened its scope, screening films at seven satellite venues throughout the city including an arts venue (Intersection for the Arts), a pub (Edinburgh Castle) and a fire station (San Francisco Fire Station #7).
