Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on October 21, 2006 at 13:57:56

certainly not argue the point: his other films reportedly are of the same high caliber.
In Beijing's Epcot-type park ("see the Eiffel Tower, 1/3 of the height of the one in Paris, France"), two workers begin a romance but, because both work for very low wages and yet are attractive, they become the objects pursued by those with more means.
The male, a guard at the park, tries to maintain connection with his family but the distance is too great, both emotional and geographic. He drifts into a relationship which he seems to feel is deadend.
The female, a performer in the lavishly staged musical extravaganzas, forms her closest friendship with a Russian woman who speaks no Chinese: their "communication," in spite of it, may be the deepest of the film's characters.
Though both characters seem constantly to be in contact with others and each other through their ubiquitous cell phones, when they are together they have little to say, nothing of substance to share.
But this film is much more than a sly look at the negative impact of rapid growth and change in China. Zhang's cinematography, his technique in holding the camera fixed after a scene has ended and letting others come into and continue other "stories" is interesting. Further, dialogue offscreen, and action, plays a central part in making us feel the distance between the individuals.
Watching this film is like listening to people speak a language you don't understand: Zhang's rhythms, feeling, and style is original. Like many Asians, he didn't grow up with a deep background in Western film: his vision, therefore, is quite different.
I can't wait to see the rest of his films.