Monthly Archives: May 2013

To Live, directed by Yimou Zhang, 1993 China Xu, Fu-gui, son of a wealthy landlord; falls from grace when he loses everything, including his father’s house, to gambling; forced by his misfortune to become a puppeteer; enlisted in both the … Continue reading →

Suzhou River, directed by Luo Ye, 2000, China Marda (name in Chinese means “motor”), a motorcycle courier, about 26 years old and a man of few words; after bring laid off, bought an old motorbike because he believed it looks … Continue reading →

Story of Qiu Ju, dir by Zhang Yimou, 1993, China Qiu Ju, a peasant woman, married and pregnant, known for her good look; a functional illiterate with only middle school education but no ability to write formal letters; grows and … Continue reading →

Still Life, (“san xia hao ren” the good people at the three gorges) directed by Jia Zhangke, 2006, China Han Sanming A coal miner and native of Fen Yang, Shaanxi Province; travels to Feng Jie along Yangtzu River, a town … Continue reading →

Shower, directed by Zhang Yang, 1999, China Lao Liu (old man Liu), proprietor of an old Beijing bathhouse scheduled to be torn down to make room for new developments; a widower in his 70s in poor health and father of … Continue reading →

Postmen in the Mountains, directed by Huo Jianqi, 1997, China Father, a postman in Hunan Province soon to retire after a life-time exemplary service as a postal worker and courier; views his career with a passion because he loves the … Continue reading →