We showed this film to an audience of 30 at our Community Cinema here in Shrsophire, and were astonished at its wholehearted power and pleasure. The average rating was just over 9.
**** spoiler *** But what about the ending? None of us had read the novel, so were able only to make our judgements based on what we saw. Another IMDb commentator tells us that the seamstress's re-education via Balzac was life enhancing and that she was saved from a state of ignorance and isolation by it. And that is what most of us saw - but a couple of days later, I began to think again - such a message would hardly have seemed likely to get today's Chinese State's support, so would they allow it to be made within their territory? So,was she a fulfilled young woman, made "better" by Balzac? Which girl left the village before the valley was flooded - she did, but which one was happy and smiling, and even about being moved to a new site in the near future? Not the seamstress - she'd left with no goodbyes, no smile, no security, no company, no long hair, no money, no virginity, no baby and no pride. We heard no more about her than that she'd been sought out by one of the young men, who'd learned that she may have gone to Hong Kong. As what, though? We are not told. As a happy-as-Larry top class clothes designer perhaps, or as a sewing machine sales-person - or as a "lost soul" prostitute? I wonder if someone's got the definitive answer?
**** spoiler *** But what about the ending? None of us had read the novel, so were able only to make our judgements based on what we saw. Another IMDb commentator tells us that the seamstress's re-education via Balzac was life enhancing and that she was saved from a state of ignorance and isolation by it. And that is what most of us saw - but a couple of days later, I began to think again - such a message would hardly have seemed likely to get today's Chinese State's support, so would they allow it to be made within their territory? So,was she a fulfilled young woman, made "better" by Balzac? Which girl left the village before the valley was flooded - she did, but which one was happy and smiling, and even about being moved to a new site in the near future? Not the seamstress - she'd left with no goodbyes, no smile, no security, no company, no long hair, no money, no virginity, no baby and no pride. We heard no more about her than that she'd been sought out by one of the young men, who'd learned that she may have gone to Hong Kong. As what, though? We are not told. As a happy-as-Larry top class clothes designer perhaps, or as a sewing machine sales-person - or as a "lost soul" prostitute? I wonder if someone's got the definitive answer?