He Fengming (2007) Reviews

• A very interesting life story, told in a very particular way.

  flor_payita2008-04-09

  I saw this film today, as the Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (BAFICI) is taking place. Although I found it a most interesting piece, I must point out that not anyone can enjoy it. The film is 3 hours long. And it's not exactly action-packed - quite on the contrary, the whole movie develops in Fengming's living room, and the camera's position hardly ever changes. Also, the only thing we hear in the 3 hours is Fengming's voice, while we see her telling us the story of all the struggle she and her family had to put up with between 1949 and the 70s, a rather conflictive period in the political and social history of China. So, for those who doubt their ability to stay focused for three hours, and/or are not that fond of this kind of films - you have been warned. For those who, on the other hand, consider themselves Oriental cinema lovers (I include myself here), or just are willing to see a different and interesting movie, I highly recommend it.