Just came back from the world premiere at IDFA. This carefully structured documentary really touched me as a Chinese who have been through that year for the highly competitive college entrance exam. I can't help to compare this piece to the episode on the same topic in the BBC series of Chinese School. This one is more compact but with a very good rhythm of the emotional development in just 55 mins. I am again amazed by the closeness of the camera(maybe even "closer" then BBC), which contributes a lot to the connection between the life of those 5 students and the audience. The "main" character's poetic narration in the end brings the story to my heart. People may find funny or pathetic for the life like this, but as showed in the film, we are proud that we went through and grew up. Ironic or not, that is how we celebrate the end of our adolescence with overwhelming pressure and hope from parents and the society at the same time. Actually, as we looked back, it was just the start of our struggles to find the true love from our heart. Peking University or Tsinghua, though absolutely top as they are in China, can't guarantee the beautiful future for you. Life is to be enjoyed or spoiled which can't be determined so easily. Anyway, they have to fight to have an equal starting line again.
This documentary may sound not critical enough but on the other hand it warms your heart by true stories. Maybe to be critical is not its purpose, just as the director put it. The team went through many troubles, especially this year at the most important moment of "gao kao" while eventful torch rally affected the entrance to China for journalists. It is worth mentioning that the camera work is just brilliant with subtle clever/beautiful frames. Refreshing and touching, well done!
This documentary may sound not critical enough but on the other hand it warms your heart by true stories. Maybe to be critical is not its purpose, just as the director put it. The team went through many troubles, especially this year at the most important moment of "gao kao" while eventful torch rally affected the entrance to China for journalists. It is worth mentioning that the camera work is just brilliant with subtle clever/beautiful frames. Refreshing and touching, well done!
