AFI FEST

by Ari

The Road - Zhang Jiarui
 
This quiet, eloquent drama from China is one of the best films I’ve seen at the AFI Fest yet. It’s fascinating to see a Chinese produced film set against the cultural revolution of the 60’s and 70's, and how the period impacts the lives of the lead characters. As director Zhang Jiarui stated, “I would’ve been executed if I made this movie 3-5 years ago”. It’s no small feat that The Road was released in China to surprising success, especially considering how long and hard the filmmakers worked to solidify a final cut. Zhang went through a series of edits before the government accepted the film, with one notable scene of Communist punishment removed from all cuts. Zhang noted that it’s against Chinese policy to release an extended edition in any foreign market. One thing is certain: his artistic integrity is without fault.

The Road tells the story of Li Chunfen (Jingchu Zhang, who is being touted as the next Ziyi Zhang), a young girl who works as an assistant on a bus driven by Lao Cui (Wei Fan). This particular bus is of special significance to the people of China, since Lao Cui has been recognized and awarded for his contribution to the community by Chairman Mao himself. Lao becoms a small celebrity of sorts. He’s a simple man who obeys his party and makes an easy living - at peace with his long drives through the mountains and villages of his country. Chunfen is a sweet and bright young girl who falls in love with one of their regular passengers, a young doctor named Liu Fendou (Nie Yuan). When their affection turns into a passion, Fendou is punished by the Communist Party, forced to admit that he raped her, and sent for re-education in Communist values.

Many years pass (the story takes place over five decades) and Chunfen is eventually married to her boss, Lao Cui. He expresses a genuine affection towards her - while she still loves the young man of her dreams: Fendou. Problems arise in their marriage since the entire thing was against her wishes to begin with. Her husband, while caring for her deeply, is impotent, causing him great emotional insecurity. When Fendou returns in the late 70’s, he sends Chunfen letters expressing his desire to meet one last time. The story deals with the effects of Communism during and after the cultural revolution, dictating how the characters feel and live. The Road is a touching romance and a sweeping, epic drama - a film of grand vision and subtle, nuanced performances.

The lead performance by Jingchu Zhang is excellent. Her maturity, emotion, and delicacy reminded me of Maggie Cheung’s early works. Wei Fan is tremendous as the good-hearted, but emotionally torn bus driver who wants nothing more than to see his wife return his adoration. Their first night in bed following their marriage is one of the best in the film - an awkward, sad, but humorous attempt at having sex.

The visual beauty of The Road is startling. This is perhaps the best looking Chinese film I’ve seen in recent years outside the work of Zhang Yimou. The scenery is breathtaking in scope, with the tone and atmosphere perfectly conveying the emotional arc of the characters.

This film deserves at least a limited run here in America. Highly accomplished filmmaking.