Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl (1999)

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Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 1

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100

Average Rating: 9/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 0

No consensus yet.

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 2,190

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Movie Info

Directed by Joan Chen from an award-winning novella banned in China because of political and sexual content, "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl" is a powerful love story. Between 1967 and 1976, nearly 8 million Chinese youths were "sent down" for specialized training to the remotest corners of the country. Before being sent down, the young and beautiful Xiu Xiu dreams of becoming a horse trainer in the wide open plains of Tibet, far away from her busy city home. Her journey begins in a training camp

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Directed By: Joan Chen

In Theaters: May 7, 1999 Wide

On DVD: Oct 26, 1999

Cast

Critic Reviews for Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl

All Critics (40) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)

An astonishing directorial debut.

April 4, 2003 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

A rigorous drama about the plight of a fifteen-year old girl during the Cultural Revolution in China.

March 4, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Chen shows an impressive grasp of nuance--in addition to just about every facet of filmmaking.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

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Audience Reviews for Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl

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A politically charged and highly metaphorical/symbolic piece of work. Placed slightly above the subtext is a simple yet charming story of a girl living in isolation with an older man. If she is ever to see the city again Xiu Xiu is convinced she must perform sexual favours on the wealthy elite. It's a very tragic story

March 8, 2009

Luke Baldock

Super Reviewer

fantastically depressing & inspired the name of my favorite band xiu xiu. nothing is solved, nothing is different it's merely an expression of pain, just like the band .

December 3, 2008