Zu Baitao Movies
Filmmaker Ning Ying returns to her favorite theme -- the gradual decay of traditional Chinese values and culture at the dawn of the 21st century -- in this low-key drama. Desi (Yu Lei) is a cab driver who has recently broken up with his wife. Lonely, Desi is searching for a new love, and as he drifts through Beijing in search of fares and a girlfriend, he sees a city that is increasingly bending to the influence of the West, with traditional pastimes and customs forced to make way for the onslaught of the free-market economy. Xiari Nuanyangyang has been screened on the international film festival circuit in two different versions; the cut shown at the 2001 Rotterdam Film Festival ran 99 minutes, while the film was only 79 minutes when it appeared at the Berlin Film Festival that same year. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Jia Zhang Ke made his directorial debut with this low-budget 16mm film shot in his hometown with non-professional actors. Small time Fenyang thief and pickpocket Xiao Wu is insulted when a now-respectable former thief doesn't send him a wedding invitation. At a karaoke bar, Xiao Wu meets Mei Mei, instructed to join him because she won't sing or dance. The two are on the brink of a relationship, but she soon departs. He visits his parents in a neighboring village, encountering rejection yet again. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wang Hong Wei, Hao Hong Jian, (more)
