Roll-M: Xiu-Xiu, The Sent Down Girl |
Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl (starring LuLu, Lopsang, Gao Jie, Li Quianqian; written by Geling Yan and Joan Chen; directed by Joan Chen; rated R for sexuality).
Set in the waning days of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl is at once a visually stunning and strangely disquieting film. The title refers to youngsters who were "sent down," away from their families, to receive specialized training in various trades. Many never saw their families again. Wen Xiu (nicknamed "Xiu Xiu"), a young Chinese girl, is sent to apprentice with Lao Jin, a kindly horse herder on the Tibetan steppes. Once there, the film becomes a character study as the carefree young child comes to grips with the harsh realities of life amidst the political upheaval of her homeland. Her sexuality is all she owns, and she trades her favors in a desperate attempt to return home.
Director Chen (who acted and studied in the United States, but has since returned to her native China) has done an exquisite job of lighting and photographing her subjects as the story unfolds. My only problem with this was the ending, which I found unsatisfying. No spoilers here, but don’t expect to feel cheerful after viewing this rather sad tale.
Xiu Xiu has already won several awards, including Best Dramatic Feature at the 1998 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, and 7 Golden Horse (Taipei Oscar) Awards. Could it possibly be a Xiu-in for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards? Check it out at the Camelview 5, where it opened on Sept. 17th for an exclusive run.
THREE AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE OWLS