The World

2004, Drama, 2h 20m

46 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Though perhaps too slowly paced and long, The World offers an intriguing glimpse into China's modernization and the growing ennui of some of its people. Read critic reviews

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The World Photos

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Movie Info

At the Beijing World Park, a theme park that displays small versions of famous world monuments, one of the performers, Tao (Zhao Tao), is dating a guard named Taisheng (Taisheng Chen). However, they have a difficult bond, full of jealousy and miscommunication. While Tao forms friendships with other performers, Taisheng develops a fascination with Qun (Yi-qun Wang), a woman trying to join her husband in France. Despite their differences, Tao and Taisheng attempt to continue their relationship.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    Chinese
  • Director:
    ZhangKe Jia
  • Writer:
    ZhangKe Jia
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $3.6K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Zeitgeist Films

Cast & Crew

Tao Zhao
Tao
Taisheng Chen
Taisheng
Jing Jue
Wei
Xiang Wan
Youyou
Liu Juan
Yanqing
Zhong-wei Jiang
Niu
Yi-qun Wang
Qun
ZhangKe Jia
Director
ZhangKe Jia
Writer
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News & Interviews for The World

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Critic Reviews for The World

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (13)
Full Review… Richard Brody New Yorker Full Review… Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle Full Review… Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel Full Review… G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Tom Keogh Seattle Times Full Review… Wesley Morris Boston Globe Full Review… Nathanael Hood Unseen Films Full Review… Yasmin Shehab Daily News Egypt Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… Ethan Alter Film Journal International Full Review… Chelsea Bain Boston Herald Full Review… Derek Smith Cinematic Reflections
View All Critic Reviews (46)

Audience Reviews for The World

  • Jul 12, 2009
    Definitely worth watching for its' absolutely stunning cinematography. The film takes place almost entirely inside a 114-acre theme park, World Park, on the outskirts of Beijing. The park contains 1/3 scaled replicas of internationally renowned buildings and sites, including the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, London Bridge, etc. A slow-paced melodrama of contemporary Chinese society, with something to say about the growing uniformity of our world. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=world.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/world.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
    El Hombre I Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2009
    a unique vision of 'the world' as a theme park in beijing and the mundane lives of the workers there. a gorgeous looking film with surprise animated sequences
    Stella D Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2009
    A very dull and boring movie. I know it is supposed to show the bleakness of contemporary urban Chinese live in an oppositional context to the "World" (which is a large Disney Worldesque theme park). But personally, I think it utterly fills. There are many moments of silence, but they are not filled with despair or sadness but are just empty. One should not mistake silence and lowkey direction for deepness. There are many movies succesfully portraying dystopian societies (think Shane Meadows, De Sica etc.), but this is not one of them. Stay away.
    Henrik S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 12, 2007
    An unfortunately average portrayal of how a culture interprets the rest of the world and adapts to it.
    Edward B Super Reviewer
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