The New York Times by Dana Stevens
An intellectually engaging movie. But Mr. Jia's careful objectivity and regard for material detail are not matched by narrative rigor.
✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ Read critic reviews
Hong Kong, China, Japan · 2001
2h 29m
Director Jia Zhangke
Starring Zhao Tao, Wang Hongwei, Liang Jingdong, Tian Yi Yang
Genre Drama
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An amateur theater troupe in the remote Chinese province of Fenyang evolves from being restricted in performing only approved revolutionary classics that praise Chairman Mao to having looser limits under China's "open door" policy. Their fate mirrors that of the general Chinese population as the mainland undergoes massive socio-economic changes.
The New York Times by Dana Stevens
An intellectually engaging movie. But Mr. Jia's careful objectivity and regard for material detail are not matched by narrative rigor.
Thoughtful, melancholy drama.
Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt
The movie makes up in sweep and splendor what it lacks in psychological depth and dramatic impact.
New York Daily News by Elizabeth Weitzman
After lulling us into a neartorpor, Jia sneaks in one of the most gut-punching endings in recent memory.
One of the richest films of the past decade.
Expansive and undeniably brilliant.
Awesome filmmaking. But it doesn't make for easy film-watching.
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