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Movies / On DVD / Unknown Pleasures
Unknown Pleasures

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Unknown Pleasures (2003)

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63 %
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Reviews Counted: 27

Fresh: 17

Rotten:10

Average Rating: 6.6/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

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 [More]

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Mar 16, 2004

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Unknown Pleasures

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Jia creates some poignant images to convey key transitions in the characters' lives.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/11/08
David Rooney
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/11/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Lays bare the tao of contemporary China, like a doctor taking a pulse.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
08/21/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

One of the better films of the 21st century.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/29/04
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
08/05/03
Guardian [UK]

The film just sits there, staring back at us.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
06/27/03
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Jia Zhang Ke delivers what may well be his finest work to date.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
06/24/03
Jamie Russell
BBC
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
05/30/03
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

In its effort to evoke pity, Unknown Pleasures chiefly evokes agitation and frustration.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
05/01/03
Shawn Levy
Oregonian

Too much is left unsaid.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
04/11/03
C.W. Nevius
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

despite the distinct lack of good times and belly laughs, Unknown Pleasures is a great film.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/11/03
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Despite the fact that there's little dramatic arc, little dialogue and little joy in the lives of its characters, Unknown Pleasures is riveting.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
04/07/03
Leslie Katz
culturevulture.net

[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.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/04/03
Jeremiah Kipp
Filmcritic.com

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

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/04/03
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

This sequel to Jia's excellent 1997 drama Xiao Wu is less original and absorbing than its predecessor, and less visually impressive than Platform.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
04/03/03
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

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.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
03/31/03
Rachel Deahl
Boxoffice Magazine

The actors in Unknown Pleasures generate sympathy from their sullen good looks as much as any acting ability.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/29/03
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International

An occasionally fascinating but ultimately undercooked portrait of the young and disaffected.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
03/27/03
Bill Pearis
Citysearch

There's a telling disjunction between the dismal lives of Jia's characters and the optimism of China's officially sunny advance into the 21st century.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/26/03
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
 
 
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