Based on a novel by Mian Mian (the actress who plays Casper) called We Are Panic, which is now banned by the communist Chinese Government. This DV feature gives us a glimpse into the lives of 4 shanghai teenagers, who are part of the current 'lost generation' of Chinese kids, brought about by China's one child policy. They experiment with drugs and sexuality in an explicit but not voyeuristic manner. The first half of the film centres around an HIV panic in a group of clubbing friends, but then spreads out into other 'panics' amongst the group of friends. The film is not directed in the conventional sense as it is shot in a documentary style, giving it a visceral gritty feeling of reality, following the 'lost' teenagers through the seedy streets of late night Shanghai. This being an independent feature, showing the true reality of Shanghai, not usually seen in Chinese films that and as a result got only a few viewings within China. Best described as a Chinese Larry Clark film, with gritty and dark subject matter with little not shown off screen.
6 Reviews
Avoid this... production.
drdfoo1 February 2003
First of all, so nobody misses it; avoid it.
It is my opinion that every movie needs some sort of project. It may be a good story, nice photography, a mood, a political issue, a dilemma, interesting characters, anything! This movie has none, whatsoever. It has novice actors with as much talent and emotion as some tired old fart in a cheap home made porn flick, its photography makes most home video camera owners look talented, the editing must have been done after a really expensive night out, and the special effect (note the singular form, even though it occurs several times) looks more like a camera handling accident than anything else. For all I know, drug-using youth sexually experimenting may be so controversial in China that this crap is worthwhile there. I will not go as far as to call this a movie. The Norwegian film "Dis" at least had some entertainment value. This was just boring, talentless and really, really bad. A total waste of time.
I paid to see this at a film festival. I hope I, by doing this, haven't contributed to Cheng being allowed to commit more productions. I would see that as a personal tragedy.
And Geir; I will never trust you again. Masterpiece my ass.
It is my opinion that every movie needs some sort of project. It may be a good story, nice photography, a mood, a political issue, a dilemma, interesting characters, anything! This movie has none, whatsoever. It has novice actors with as much talent and emotion as some tired old fart in a cheap home made porn flick, its photography makes most home video camera owners look talented, the editing must have been done after a really expensive night out, and the special effect (note the singular form, even though it occurs several times) looks more like a camera handling accident than anything else. For all I know, drug-using youth sexually experimenting may be so controversial in China that this crap is worthwhile there. I will not go as far as to call this a movie. The Norwegian film "Dis" at least had some entertainment value. This was just boring, talentless and really, really bad. A total waste of time.
I paid to see this at a film festival. I hope I, by doing this, haven't contributed to Cheng being allowed to commit more productions. I would see that as a personal tragedy.
And Geir; I will never trust you again. Masterpiece my ass.
Worst movie I've seen so far in my life
agnordby3 February 2003
This is worse than "Dis", worse than "Plan 9 from outer space"... If it hadn't been so incredible boring, it could have been an interresting experience watching how a movie should NOT be made.
The movie is absolutely EMPTY, there is nothing there to entertain, interrest, amuse, anger, or otherwise engage the spectator emotionally.
Watching this movie is not only a waste of time, it is a way of giving the "director" more credit than he deserves. Let's hope he'll never afford to make another movie.
The movie is absolutely EMPTY, there is nothing there to entertain, interrest, amuse, anger, or otherwise engage the spectator emotionally.
Watching this movie is not only a waste of time, it is a way of giving the "director" more credit than he deserves. Let's hope he'll never afford to make another movie.
real acting.
Hunky Stud10 August 2008
This is an interesting movie. I actually checked it out free at a local library. Most libraries don't usually have this type of movies.
The national language is the mandarin dialect in China, so shanghai dialect is usually not allowed for any movies. Those actors speak Shanghai dialect throughout the movie. It is very refreshing. I can only imagine if the Chinese government give artists and movie makers more freedom, what kind of movies they will be able to make. It makes me wonder how this film was made, and who gave them the money to make this movie, etc?
The storyline is not very coherent, there are a few things that don't make sense. Sometimes the camera was shaking too much. The actors are either too good, or they are just acting like themselves? I feel as if they are really those characters in real life. They don't make me feel fake, especially the older girl wearing glasses. She can really act.
The national language is the mandarin dialect in China, so shanghai dialect is usually not allowed for any movies. Those actors speak Shanghai dialect throughout the movie. It is very refreshing. I can only imagine if the Chinese government give artists and movie makers more freedom, what kind of movies they will be able to make. It makes me wonder how this film was made, and who gave them the money to make this movie, etc?
The storyline is not very coherent, there are a few things that don't make sense. Sometimes the camera was shaking too much. The actors are either too good, or they are just acting like themselves? I feel as if they are really those characters in real life. They don't make me feel fake, especially the older girl wearing glasses. She can really act.
Part Cinema Verite, part KIDS....
jmowen18 September 2006
Wasn't expecting much from this film as I was merely interested in seeing how it depicted homosexuality. I was struck by the realism in the film-making i.e. how it looked like a documentary. Following these kids around on their lives was fun for the most part. The feeling conveyed throughout is one of friendship. They really really seem to care for each other. The frustration that the two boys feel in their relationship is comical and all too common as I've been in that same type of relationship before.
If there's anything that detracts from the film is that it didn't really seem to have an ending. Which arguably works seeing as how this doesn't really purport to be a narrative story...just a glimpse into their lives which don't in fact end when the credits roll. Also (nitpick) I didn't care for the purposefully blurred moments in the film. Not artsy enough; they took me out of the story.
Refreshing to see China portrayed in this way!
Definitely recommend!!!!
If there's anything that detracts from the film is that it didn't really seem to have an ending. Which arguably works seeing as how this doesn't really purport to be a narrative story...just a glimpse into their lives which don't in fact end when the credits roll. Also (nitpick) I didn't care for the purposefully blurred moments in the film. Not artsy enough; they took me out of the story.
Refreshing to see China portrayed in this way!
Definitely recommend!!!!
Thought this was a documentary. Well acted.
MrLister30 January 2003
I saw this film on telly very late at night when I was feeling a bit funny, and enjoyed it a lot. I suppose this is kind of like a Chinese version of "Kids". I wasn't sure until the credits that the people in it were actually acting, because I thought it was very realistic... rather like a documentary. The film follows a group of young people in modern-day Shanghai getting to grips with sexuality, drugs, and all the other things that young people traditionally get to grips with. Not to say that it is unoriginal, because it isn't, but there is not really a story to speak of. Even though I don't go in for these sort of character based films, I found myself enjoying it. But I was feeling a little funny that night. I give it 8 out of 10, and I'm not feeling funny anymore so that is a sane opinion..
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