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The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)

The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)
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With The Story of Qiu Ju, internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine, an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize, Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon, her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich, painterly look of his previous films, Zhang adopts an unadorned, realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed, while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings, the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected, The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Starring:
Gong LiGe Zhijun, (more)
Director(s):
Zhang Yimou
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Story of Qiu Ju

With The Story of Qiu Ju, internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine, an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize, Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon, her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich, painterly look of his previous films, Zhang adopts an unadorned, realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed, while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings, the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected, The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
100 mins

Complete Cast of The Story of Qiu Ju


Director(s):
Zhang Yimou
Writer(s):
Liu Heng
Producer(s):
Ma Fung-kwok
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Questionable for Children)
The Story of Qiu Ju Awards:
  • 1993 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Foreign Film
  • 1992 - Venice International Film Festival - Volpi Cup for Best Actress
  • 1992 - Venice International Film Festival - Golden Lion
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Member Reviews
 
BRONWYN D M.

A wonderful movie with a lot of meaning. It is amazing how the hardships of a country life are normal everyday things to those who grew up there. The acting and scenery is gorgeous. All she wanted was one simple thing.....obviously to her it was simple.

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Raymond A.

An outstanding movie with a good plot, but its strength is in the way it shows Chinese life in the countryside, the village, and the city. It presents a vivid cross-section of Chinese life. Highly recommended to anyone who wishes to experience another culture.

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Bernard A.

Just a must see movie. Simply powerful, and a great illustration of human nature. Hollywood will never shoot a movie like this one.

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