Zhang Yimou, often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker, directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes, set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er (Ni Dabong). Fugui's wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) abandons him, and he finds himself working as a peddler,
until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer; while on the road, he is arrested by Nationalist forces, until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions, and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift, Fugui vows to change his ways, and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner, and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards, Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past, as well as Zhang Yimou's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment, he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Acompanhar a conturbada vida política chinesa entre as décadas de 40 e 70 através de uma perspectiva intimista é uma idéia inteligente e promissora. Infelizmente, parte da força se perde em função do roteiro excessivamente melodramático.
This was really good. Li Gong is recognizable from Hero (she's actually been in a lot of things). The scenes of mourning are painful to watch, because it is so real and honest. If you enjoyed other works by this director, (Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of The Golden Flower being the most famous) you will
probably enjoy this....no martial arts, however. This is a moving drama with some interesting history. Well done film.
I think it's safe to say that this is no love letter from Zhang Yimou to Chairman Mao. Any time any means of artistic expression must be destroyed, as with the burning of the puppets, you can be sure that the film, itself a form of artistic expression, is not making a positive statement. An unrelenting look at the
ravages of political change in China from the 1940s through the 60s, focusing particularly on one extremely unfortunate, yet in some ways extremely lucky family, if simply surviving equals good fortune. If you're a Li Gong or You Ge fan, you won't want to miss this one.
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