Pusan 2010: UNDER THE HAWTHRON TREE Review
[Our thanks to Padrhig Harney for the following review.]
Zhang Yimou succeeded many ways with his new film Under The Hawthorn Tree. This 'small' film as he calls it was able to hit more than a few people with a wave of emotion. This was not the first time he has succeeded at capturing people hearts and we can hope that it is not the last. Zhang Yimou is famous all over the world for his gigantic martial arts extravaganzas, like "Hero", and "House of Flying Daggers". Others are drawn to Zhang's more simple films like "The Road Home", and "Not One Less". His latest work is most definately part of the later.
With the historical backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution to play with Zhang takes us back to a more pure view of the world. Our lens into this world is focused on a young girl (Jing Qiu) who is sent for re-education into the county side played by newcomer Zhou Dongyu. There she meets a boy or should we say a man (Lao San) played by Canadian-raised Dou Xiao.
Many viewed this as Zhang's return to a more simple kind of film. Something that he has been holding inside but has not had the chance to get out. That is to forget that he has had his sporadic 'small' works over the last decade or so. The greatness of Zhang and his brilliance with the camera overpower this film. The viewer is treated to little tastes of emotion that snowball into the driving force of the piece.
It's important to note that this film is not particularly stunning like most of Zhang's other works. Like his quintessential work "To live" with its epic portrayal of Communist Chinese solders bombing down a mountainside. Its more subtle and slight handed. With this soft touch Zhang allows the viewer to go back to his or her own time of pure love and unadulterated passion. The male lead Lao is at times more than a bit creepy in his pursuit of his young love, and clams to have been watching her for hours on more than a few occasions. But in the end wins us over with simple and genuine actions. Jumping into love with blind inhibition.
The film has become a hit in China and will continue to gain momentum on the festival circuit before landing in art house theaters. Die-hard Fans will not be disappointed with Zhang's latest work. Even his signature color red comes into play on more than a few occasions.
Review by Padrhig Harney
Zhang Yimou succeeded many ways with his new film Under The Hawthorn Tree. This 'small' film as he calls it was able to hit more than a few people with a wave of emotion. This was not the first time he has succeeded at capturing people hearts and we can hope that it is not the last. Zhang Yimou is famous all over the world for his gigantic martial arts extravaganzas, like "Hero", and "House of Flying Daggers". Others are drawn to Zhang's more simple films like "The Road Home", and "Not One Less". His latest work is most definately part of the later.
With the historical backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution to play with Zhang takes us back to a more pure view of the world. Our lens into this world is focused on a young girl (Jing Qiu) who is sent for re-education into the county side played by newcomer Zhou Dongyu. There she meets a boy or should we say a man (Lao San) played by Canadian-raised Dou Xiao.
Many viewed this as Zhang's return to a more simple kind of film. Something that he has been holding inside but has not had the chance to get out. That is to forget that he has had his sporadic 'small' works over the last decade or so. The greatness of Zhang and his brilliance with the camera overpower this film. The viewer is treated to little tastes of emotion that snowball into the driving force of the piece.
It's important to note that this film is not particularly stunning like most of Zhang's other works. Like his quintessential work "To live" with its epic portrayal of Communist Chinese solders bombing down a mountainside. Its more subtle and slight handed. With this soft touch Zhang allows the viewer to go back to his or her own time of pure love and unadulterated passion. The male lead Lao is at times more than a bit creepy in his pursuit of his young love, and clams to have been watching her for hours on more than a few occasions. But in the end wins us over with simple and genuine actions. Jumping into love with blind inhibition.
The film has become a hit in China and will continue to gain momentum on the festival circuit before landing in art house theaters. Die-hard Fans will not be disappointed with Zhang's latest work. Even his signature color red comes into play on more than a few occasions.
Review by Padrhig Harney
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