Jia creates some poignant images to convey key transitions in the characters' lives.
Unknown Pleasures (2003)
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Reviews Counted:27
Fresh:17
Rotten:10
Average Rating:6.6/10
Theatrical Release:Mar 26, 2003 Limited
Synopsis:
China's "birth control generation" is entering their twenties during a promising period of social transition. Coupled with China's entry into the WTO, the eruption of satellite television and...
China's "birth control generation" is entering their twenties during a promising period of social transition. Coupled with China's entry into the WTO, the eruption of satellite television and internet accessibility helped Beijing celebrate its successful bid for the 2008 Olympics and new highways are shortening the distance from the provinces to larger cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Canton.
While the entire country is seemingly committed toward following the path of speedy development, state resources aren't as readily available in the provincial cities, allowing the gap between rich and poor to grow steadily and leaving many young people in China unemployed. In the city of Datong, jobless best friends Xiao Ji and Bin Bin are growing restless. With nowhere to turn, the boys spend their time wandering around Datong on motorbikes and hanging out at the pool hall. Sparks fly when Xiao Ji meets the beautiful Qiao Qiao, a dancer for Mongolian King Liquor, and Bin Bin's romance with a young student helps to alleviate his struggle, but without hope love doesn't prevail and desperation sets in. Taking a cue from American crime movies and Monkey King animation, the temptation of easy money becomes too difficult to resist and in a final attempt to break free from life in Datong, Xiao Ji and Bin Bin embark on half-baked plan to rob a bank.
Although Unknown Pleasures is a harrowing account of disillusioned young people living in China, director Jia Zhang-ke (Platform) still finds plenty to laugh about. Beautifully photographed by famed cinematographer Yu Lik-wai, Unknown Pleasures cements Zhang-ke's reputation as one of China's most important filmmakers. -- © New Yorker Films
Starring: Wu Qiong, Zhao Wei Wei, Zhao Tao, Zhou Qing Feng
Starring: Wu Qiong, Zhao Wei Wei, Zhao Tao, Zhou Qing Feng, Wang Hong Wei, Bai Ru, Liu Xi An
Director: Zhang Ke Jia
Director: Zhang Ke Jia
Screenwriter: Zhang Ke Jia
Producer: Shozo Ichiyama, Li Kit Ming
Studio: New Yorker Films
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Reviews for Unknown Pleasures
[Director Zhang-ke] Jia's virtuoso long takes, choreographed mise en scene, and feeling for character and behavior place him in a class by himself.
Lays bare the tao of contemporary China, like a doctor taking a pulse.
In its effort to evoke pity, Unknown Pleasures chiefly evokes agitation and frustration.
despite the distinct lack of good times and belly laughs, Unknown Pleasures is a great film.
Despite the fact that there's little dramatic arc, little dialogue and little joy in the lives of its characters, Unknown Pleasures is riveting.
[Music] has the ability to connect with everyone, and perhaps international audiences will connect with the Chinese youth of Unknown Pleasures for the exact same reason.
Hard to turn away from, but also damn hard to sit through ... there is a difference between inspiring a sense of alienation in one’s audience, and merely alienating them
This sequel to Jia's excellent 1997 drama Xiao Wu is less original and absorbing than its predecessor, and less visually impressive than Platform.
While there are some beautifully shot, subtle moments in the film that encapsulate the desperation and degradation of the characters, the director ends up alienating his audience in an attempt to display the alienation of his characters.
The actors in Unknown Pleasures generate sympathy from their sullen good looks as much as any acting ability.
An occasionally fascinating but ultimately undercooked portrait of the young and disaffected.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| 43% 43% | The Proposal |
| 26% 26% | Land of the Lost |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
| 56% 56% | Enlighten Up! |
| 13% 13% | Spread |
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