Jiang Wen's most recent film,
The Sun Also Rises, is one that is not very accessible to people outside of China. It took me some time thinking through and discussing the movie with friends before I began to feel I had a bit of a handle on it. Even so, I still feel it is something that I need to give a great deal more thought to.
The film is set in the days of the Cultural Revolution, and it involves a very complicated plot. There are 3 distinct settings, with 2 distinct sets of people. Eventually, we see the two groups (and to an extent, the various settings) overlap. The interaction of city and rural life receives very interesting treatment in the film, as does the experience of life during the Cultural Revolution. I like the treatment this film gives of that era of history. It is not bleak or depressing at all, but is presented with vibrant colors and some humor (albeit a rather dark humor at times).
I think it is interesting to see the Cultural Revolution treated in something of a tongue-in-cheek manner, though it is all done very subtly. It doesn't call anyone or any specific event into the spotlight, but it gives a real representation of the mania and hyper-patriotism that was expected in the day.
A friend of mine who was brought up in that time and place summed up her feelings for me, upon seeing the film. She said, "I can't put it into words, but the film certainly makes you feel it all again." In thinking about what she said, I realized that the confusion that the film caused for many viewers is probably a big part of what was felt in the time too.
Overall, I think The Sun Also Rises gives the audience something to think about, and is well worth watching. In fact, I plan to give it a second viewing.
