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By:
JBR
Introduced to the motion picture industry at the end of the 19th century (1896), it took nearly 80 years for China to reach the pinnacle. During the Cultural Revolution, film making fell into hardship owing to the fact it was felt that films were indulgence to the capitalists and became tools for the propaganda for the Gang of Four. There were regulations covering what should be shown in all entertainment including cinema. The Chinese govt allowed only such films that were centered around socialistic principles.
One of the important directors who got out of this suffocation of Chinese cinema was fifth generation filmmaker Zhang Yimou. He trained in cinematography at the Beijing Film Academy.
Zhang Yimou developed his own way of looking at society disregarding the socialistic principle. His first film was 'Red Sorghum.' He has since directed about 16 films and most of them feature people who live on the edges of Chinese society. The communists believed that education should reach every Chinese and his film started reflecting that sentiment also. It's to be noted that his films are devoid of propaganda.
One of Zhang Yimou's most remarkable films is 'The Road Home.' Deeply interested in literature, Zhang Yimou has translated the works of Lu Xun and Bao Shi into films.
'The Road Home' is based on the novel 'Remembrance' by Bao Shi. Mostly told in flashbacks, this love story spanning 40 years is about a bright young teacher emerging from the chaos of the Cultural Revolution and a farm girl who falls in love with him.
The story is told from the viewpoint of a city businessman, who travels from the city to the country for the funeral of his father, a longtime teacher in a remote village. His father had been engaged in collecting funds for a new school building and when in another village, he falls sick and passes away. In keeping with the times, he just wants to transport the body quickly to burial in a vehicle, but his old mother insists that the body should be hand carried by local men back to their village while she weaves the funeral cloth because according to an old custom, to bring the dead person's body along familiar streets will ensure that in death, the soul will remember the road home (hence the title).
He bows down to his mother's wish and gets the Mayor's help to bring his father's body home, but it is difficult to get men for the task. The young men of the village have gone to big cities in search of better paying jobs. After finally getting men to carry the body, the funeral procession comes to the village. Cherishing the memories of his father, the pall bearers refuse to take money.
The last rites take place according to his mother's wishes. As her son plans to return to the city, his mother requests him to teach once in the school his father had taught. He also does as per her wish. Till then, she had been drawn to her husband's voice teaching in the school. Now her son's voice draws her. Mother and son look at each other. The film ends.
The scenes from the past are in wonderful color and the present is in black and white. With the viewers, the hero shares the beautiful story of how his father and mother first met and fell in love. This forms the heart of the story.
When she first times to the village, the 18 year old Zhang Ziyi falls in love with the school teacher. He also falls in love with her. With the other men of the village, the teacher starts to construct the school building. There is no place for women in this activity. Their job is to bring home made food for their men. Zhang Ziyi prepares fantastic dishes for the teacher but she has no idea about what he gets to eat. So she enquires from someone who works there. He says the teacher is given the first lunch bag. The next day, the food she cooks is put in first place.
Zhang Ziyi's blind mother is afraid that her daughter's love could go unrequited, so she tries to dissuade her. But Zhang Ziyi waits for hours together for the teacher. By the smallest glances, hint of a smile and brief greetings, their love grows day by day. With its beautifully crafted narrative, Zhang Yimou transports the audience to an ethereal plane.
Zhang Ziyi's world is full of her teacher. She even weaves the banner of good luck for the school (In the same loom, she weaves her husband's funeral cloth too). Once she makes a mushroom dish for the teacher, but he is unable to eat it as he has to go immediately to the city on invitation from the govt. However, he does not return by the said date. Waiting anxiously for his return, she goes to the city in search of him in the bitter winter cold. She passes out in the cold on the way and is rescued by wayfarers who bring her back home. On hearing the news, the teacher rushes back home. So, the govt slaps restrictions on him for two years. After those two years are past, the two of them become inseparable till the end.
This simple love story depicted by Zhang Yimou with realism, leaves great emotional impact, making it one of the most beautiful love stories seen on the screen. This is contributed in no mean measure by the beautiful Zhang Ziyi who plays the young lady's role. The innocent love shining on her youthful face defies description as do her body nuances of enquiry and joy.
Exquisite cinematography by Hou Yong, suitable traditional Chinese background music, realistic story line, sensitive heart warming characters make this a landmark film by Zhang Yimou.
In the last scene, the son stands in the spot where his father stood and taught for 40 years. The book in his hand belonged to his father, who first taught the village children from it 40 years earlier. He had himself written these meaningful lines…
"Learn Mathematics
Learn the Present
Learn the Past
Keep a Journal...."
Other films by Zhang Yimou
1) Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) (Filming)
2) Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (2005)
3) House of Flying Daggers (2004)
4) Hero (2002)
5) Happy Time (2000)
6) Not One Less (1999)
7) The Road Home (1999)
8) Keep Cool (1997)
9) Lumiere and Company (1996)
10) Shanghai Triad (1995)
11) To Live (1994)
12) The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)
13) Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
14) Ju Dou (1990)
15) The Puma Action (1989)
16) Red Sorghum (1987)
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-01.07.2006
