|
Cast:
Jiang
Wu
Tao
Hon
Wu
Bai
Richie
Ren
Director:
Yun
Kau-Sze
Score:
  
|
A
BEAUTIFUL NEW WORLD
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1999 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
While
there are many facets to the films of Mainland China, one
particular ability they seem to embody is an affinity with
'ordinary' people. With widespread use of the kind of social
realism that became the hallmark of 60s British cinema, films
such as 'King
Of Masks' and 'Postmen
In The Mountains' have managed to tell earthy stories in a
spellbinding manner. Importantly, though, China has always
succeeded in presenting the toils of the working person
without any need for epic human drama or widespread incident -
a skill that has seen the film-makers of said country master
their genre. Though it is hardly the pinnacle of this
film-making school, 'A Beautiful New World' is uneventful in a
majestic way.
After
winning a contest for a brand new flat, naive country bumpkin
Baogen travels to Shanghai to claim his prize. Unfortunately
he discovers that the flat has not even been built yet and will
take another 18 months to complete - leaving him stranded in
Shanghai. Baogen decides to stay with his distant relative in
one of Shanghai's suburbs, but finds that she has sadly died
leaving her irresponsible, debt-ridden daughter in charge. The
daughter - Baogen's aunt - agrees to let the stranded newcomer
stay, but is quite ready to charge him for the 'privilege',
draining what's left of his funds. Despite his apparent
difficulty adjusting to cut-throat Shanghai life, Baogen
decides to use his initiative and sell lunchboxes to the
workers in the city centre, a business plan that slowly pays
dividends. His aunt is a day-dreamer though and constantly
criticises her nephew's realistic attempts to scrape together
a living, while she squanders her money on get-rich-quick
schemes.
'A
Beautiful New World' is a character-driven piece that is
devoid of any great emotional climax or tragedy - this is both
an asset and a flaw in the overall production. On the positive
side, it ensures that the realism of the storyline is galvanised
while still connecting with its audience. Despite
the lack of a real focus, the trials and tribulations of the
lead character become strangely fascinating and his eventual
enterprise is a pleasure to behold. There's something quite
appealing about Baogen; his naivety is initially his downfall,
but director Yun-Kau Sze gradually explores the hidden
strengths of his character.
The
episodic narrative is advantageous in presenting realism, but
it does mean that there is often a lack of impetus. Some
scenes seem redundant, merely present to pad the running time
out while other moments are needlessly cut short. It's also
difficult to feel anything but contempt for Baogun's aunt, a
character whose conniving nature is very difficult to warm to.
As she constantly belittles the leading character, the viewer
is frustrated by his inability to defend himself. Though the
final ten minutes is supposedly the turning point for her
character - her redemption - she remains a real thorn in our
hero's side. Naturally most of this personality clash is intended
to create friction, but 90 minutes of her petulance
is a bit much to take.
Yun-Kau
Sze's film is a modest production with flaws in certain key
areas, but remains a genuinely interesting film. The Shanghai
locale is gritty and far removed from the glorious portrayal
of the city in Wilson Yip's 'Leaving Me, Loving You', yet
still plays a key part in the story's stronger moments. With
sterling use of this fascinating landscape and a leading
character whose humility helps paper over a few of the film's
cracks, 'A Beautiful New World' is an intriguing proposition -
though hardly China's finest cinematic export.
|
