8/10
Wonderful work of Neo-realism from China
25 January 2005
This is a wonderfully conceived first feature that explores the bleak lives of two young people, both modern day victims of the excesses of the cultural revolution and "globalization", who meet and become intimate. The most obvious reference point for me here were the films of John Cassavettes, the most famous neo-realist work of Rossellini and much of the best early work of the French new wave (Varda, Godard, Truffaut of the 400 Blows). The performances by the two leads, Wang Lingbo and Du Huanan are easily two of the best performances of this year. In fact, the amazing screen chemistry and inventiveness reminded me of the best moments of Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland's work in KLUTE. This is an amazing assured and accomplished low budget first feature, beautifully lensed with a 16 mm camera and then blown up
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