RESOURCES FILM REVIEWS

The Story of Qiu Ju Video footage juxtaposed at thing bad,” is quite revealing, appropriate points throughout but the children’s warm-hearted DIRECTED BY Rebeka provides additional, illu- responsiveness shines through minating information: candid nonetheless. CHINESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES street scenes with the ever-pre- This video would best comple- ISTRIBUTED BY OLUMBIA RISTAR OME IDEO sent bicyclists, a man repairing ment an entire unit on China, D C T H V shoes while his customer waits, paired with some show-and-tell PLAZA men gambling, various market- on food (which Rebeka says she 10202 WEST WASHINGTON BLVD. place activities, an apartment really liked despite reservations CULVER CITY, CA 90232 house with clothes hung out, and about the Chinese eating dogs so on. Ideally, I would have and cats and “any old bird”). 1991, 100 MINUTES, COLOR liked Rebeka’s on-camera time Comparisons and contrasts shortened with her voice-over between the Chinese and narration complemented by American schools, especially more unrehearsed, revealing the strict code of conduct or the n The Story of Qiu Ju, tice, which can only be scenes. For a young audience, lack thereof, would easily Zhang Yimou has created a achieved by an apology from there is too large a proportion of involve students in listing simi- film that is useful in giving the cadre. When the nearest Rebeka just talking to the cam- larities and differences. students an excellent pic- Public Security Bureau awards era. Late in the program, politics Transportation (bicycles versus ture of life in China today. The them medical costs and lost becomes a topic, with Rebeka cars), exercising, parties—all film can be used with students earnings, Qiu Ju sets out on a explaining her decision to suggest numerous topics for dis- at any level from middle school journey through the Chinese become a young pioneer; that is, cussion, supplemented by more Ithrough college, though its legal system. a member of the Communist pictures and videos as well as length suggests caution with The decision is appealed to party. Soon, however, the Party first-hand experience. Inclusion lower grade students with limit- the county town and to the dis- presence becomes a disruptive of any student’s exposure or ed attention spans. trict city with essentially the one. After Tiananmen Square, knowledge of non-American Most students today are visu- same result, though she is told Rebeka’s family is abruptly cultures would enrich the unit ally oriented; they more easily of further steps she may take. asked to, and must, leave. further. Finally, Rebeka grasp material presented though When her lawsuit also results in Though never exactly thrilling observes that in one big world, images than through the written the same verdict, she appeals to to watch, Rebeka has a likable, “you think everything’s the word. Our students have seen a higher court. low key manner as well as, at same wherever you live, but it’s much television coverage of During her many trips, Qiu times, the unselfconscious, really not true.” Rebeka Goes to China. These images, though, Ju’s pregnancy moves to its spontaneous silliness of the title China proves this and encour- are mainly of Beijing, final stage and she goes into character. Taking us along into ages students to see that, as Shanghai, and some of the labor during the Chinese New formal and informal class Rebeka also notes, “China’s real- major tourist attractions. Year celebration. The midwife exchanges, into courtyards and ly different” but learning about it The Story of Qiu Ju allows the is unable to deliver the baby; homes, and into the street, the is “like finding a treasure.” student to see another China, the lives of both Qiu Ju and her viewer becomes a young stu- that inhabited by perhaps seven- child are in danger. Most of the dent, too, learning about China DIANE CARSON ty per cent of the population. It villagers are away watching a as Rebeka does. What may sur- is the China of the countryside local opera, and Qiu Ju’s hus- prise us most is the pleasure and those towns and cities not band must appeal for help to the with which Rebeka engages her on the tourist or media tracks. village cadre. Enough manpow- classmates and the genuine, DIANE CARSON is a Professor of Set in northwest China, its er is mobilized to take Qiu Ju to Film Studies and Film Productions the hospital where she gives uninhibited acceptance of at St. Louis Community College images can be used to illustrate Rebeka by them. In video at Meramec. She is a coordinator many features of Chinese soci- birth to a son. footage of her friends shot after of their Asian Studies Curriculum ety today. The story line, com- In gratitude, Qiu Ju insists that Rebeka has left for America, Development Program. pelling in a Kafka-like way, the child’s one-month birthday several apologize for not show- easily holds the interest of stu- celebration cannot take place ing more gratitude to her and ask dents. without the presence of the vil- for forgiveness for not acceding [Rebeka Goes to China gives a brilliant por- lage cadre. As the festivities get to her requests for keepsakes won a Bronze Apple trayal of the pregnant Qiu Ju, under way, Qiu Ju learns that when Rebeka had to leave. Their Award at the National whose husband has been her last appeal has revealed that teacher’s prompt, “She’s our Educational Film & injured in an altercation with her husband’s ribs were broken American friend. Don’t say any- Video Festival.] the village cadre. She wants jus- Continued on page 66

65 RESOURCES FILM REVIEWS

Continued from page 65 in the original altercation; the social life in the winter. ability as an actress. The rest of The Story of Qiu Ju is an village chief has been arrested Students can see various forms the cast excel in their supporting excellent way to teach many for assault. The film ends as Qiu of transportation, and the film roles, from the concerned local of the realities of China today. Ju fails to intercept the police accurately depicts differences Public Security officer to the It was adapted from Chen vehicle carrying the cadre to his between the countryside and kindly and honest District Yuan Bin’s The Wan Family’s incarceration. various sized cities. The impor- Public Security chief. Her sister- Lawsuit. The film can be used in a vari- tance of celebrations, such as a in-law is almost pathetic in her ety of ways. It clearly demon- birth and New Year, is shown, dogged devotion. Art Barbeau strates the difference between and there are excellent scenes of In the end, though, we must legality and justice. That the the sprouting free markets. Only come back to our students. basic nature of the Chinese judi- the imagination of the individ- Though a visual generation, cial system is mediating rather ual teacher limits the number of they sometimes don’t use their ARTHUR BARBEAU is a Professor of History and than adversarial becomes obvi- questions that can be generated. eyes, relying instead on the nar- Anthropology at West Liberty ous. Gender roles in modern Despite the frustrating quality ration to tell them what they are State College. Barbeau has China are shown, though these of Qiu Ju’s quest, the story is seeing. One technique that I studied and traveled extensively are more true of rural than of not without its episodes of have found useful, if used in in China. urban areas. Many in the village humor. Qiu Ju and her sister-in- moderation, is to cover the bot- are concerned that Qiu Ju has law are bumpkins in the city, tom of the monitor so that they [The Story of Qiu Ju overstepped the bounds of a ready to be taken in by some of cannot see the subtitles. Then, won awards for Best Actress wife; her relationship with her the more sophisticated urban portions of the film are shown, and Best Foreign Film at the husband begins to suffer stress dwellers. China as a huge vil- forcing them to see what is there 1992 . Ed.] as a result. lage of interested and concerned rather than being told what they The continued existence of the bystanders comes through on are seeing. Used in moderation, extended, patrilocal family is more than one occasion. they truly become observers in still the rule in rural China. In Gong Li is brilliant. Billed as seeing many nuances beyond ORDERING INFORMATION that China, too, the communal “the most beautiful woman in the story line. In a dubbed or kang (the heated brick bed) the movies,” her portrayal of English-language film, portions Contact Columbia Tristar Home Video remains a center of family and Qiu Ju clearly demonstrates her are shown with the sound off. 310-280-8000

66 EDUCATION ABOUT ASIA Volume 1, Number 2 Fall 1996