Thirteen year old Wei Minzhi's face will haunt you for days after you see this film; as an early teen, she is suddenly thrust into a provincial classroom as a teacher, and early on she chooses to chase after and bring home a lost student. This untried young teacher's stoic quest is the reflection of a brave people who have often had to face near insurmountable odds to achieve an education and upward mobility. Like Wei Menzhi, they do so without complaint, merely by quietly acting, steadily enduring, doing what is right to learn and grow.
This is a film about childhood, too, without being drenched in treacle, without sappy cuteness; it demonstrates faith in the human condition, encourages us to be better than we are--and how many films sincerely make that attempt? A wonderful experience that demands patience and understanding from the viewer.
This is a film about childhood, too, without being drenched in treacle, without sappy cuteness; it demonstrates faith in the human condition, encourages us to be better than we are--and how many films sincerely make that attempt? A wonderful experience that demands patience and understanding from the viewer.