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WHEN
RUO MA WAS SEVENTEEN (2002)
A.K.A.
- When Ruoma Was 17
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
17
year old Ruoma is one of the Chinese Hani tribe who cling
dearly to their beloved traditions. Living in a remote
community, the only chance Ruoma gets of seeing the outside
world is her weekly trips to the town market to sell roasted
corn cobs. While there, the innocent youngster becomes popular
with the variety of Western tourists who travel through and
take unwelcome photos of her. Noticing this exotic newcomer,
amateur photographer Ming decides to befriend her and gives
her his Walkman in exchange for the corn he's eaten. Ruoma is
enchanted by this device and looses herself in the music she
listens to as she works on her grandmother's meagre farm. Ming
is eager to exploit the tourists' interest in the Hani culture
and charges visitors money to have their photograph taken with
Ruoma. As the profitable venture continues, Ruoma finds
herself entranced by Ming's world and, gradually, by the man
himself.
The
difficulty sometimes faced by Mainland Chinese films is
ensuring that the substance is equal to the glorious feast
that's prepared for the eyes. It's often been too easy for
film-makers to rely on the awesome natural beauty of China to
sell their film to Western audiences rather than concentrate
on any meaningful story. 'Sky
Lover' is one such title, over-reliant as it was on the
majesty of the landscape rather than the narrative it was
trying to construct. 'When Ruo Ma Was Seventeen' manages to
avoid the trap, providing an emotional skeleton that makes the
film more than just a travelogue feature.
As
Zhang Jiarui's film focuses on a tribe who are not widely seen
in the West, there is an added exotic appeal. The daily life
of hard work, but humble contentment comes across as real and
not just a stereotyped view of Chinese village life. Granted,
the environment in which this production was filmed is
breath-taking and leaves a searing impression beyond the final
frames. However, the storyline is strong enough not to be a
slave to the cinematography.
The
character of Ruoma is carefully drawn and for this screenwriter
Meng Jiazong should be applauded. Ruoma is instantly
sympathetic with a gentle naivety and childlike wonder at the
modern world that proves to be an effective trait. Her dream
to go to the city and go up in a lift is an obvious piece of
symbolism, but it works well because it is never overly
forced. Ruoma has dignity though, something that makes her
more than just an empty cliché and is a reminder that the
director respects his subject matter - there is never the
uneasy feeling that the Hani are being patronised or pitied.
While
Ruoma is a character with some depth, Ming proves to be a
slightly empty shell. The perpetual dreamer, it's hard to warm
to his often selfish goals, though this may have been
intentional. Therefore as a tale of unrequited love then, When
Ruo Ma Was Seventeen' is not quite as powerful. Despite this,
it's a film that has enough working in its favour to succeed.
For those wanting to enjoy a production with a heart then,
this is a worthwhile invest of one's time. It may not rank up
there with such Mainland classics as 'The
Road Home', 'Postmen
In The Mountains' or 'The
King Of Masks', but it still offers a tender story told in
a delicate way while also acting as an insight into an unknown
people.
Rating:
 
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