Directed by Zhang Yimou, Screenplay by Zhang Yimou and Jingzhi ZouCasts: ken Takakura, Kiichi Nakai, Shinobu Terajima
Watching a Zhang Yimou film is a must for me, now. It does not matter what many says about Hero and House of Flying Dagger previously (of which both films I really loved) and how hard film critics bashed those stylishly made "wuxia" (ancient chinese fighting) films of his, I still believe that his films resonate a certain belief and quality that is almost so "chinese" that they ring true in my heart and my world view of being a Chinese. With his latest film, he goes back to his old style of making films, quite similar to Not One Less and The Road Home, very straightforward, almost like a documentary and equally humanistic in approach. Ken Takakura's portrayal of a somewhat stoic and straightfaced father is so typical from that generation, yet you could almost see his hidden sadness and emotions through those eyes that are now wrinkled with time and age. His determination to film the old Yunnan Province opera for his son only serves as his final motive and gift to fulfil his dying wish (which he assumes it is). Along his journey back to China, h
e gradually realized that filming that becomes secondary, what he slowly discovered was also how much he had lost in all these years of neglecting that invisible growing space between a father and son - the lack of real communications and expression of inner feelings towards each other. I for one understood this matter completely. It hits right into the core of my heart. It makes me wonder why it is so hard for us to reveal our true feelings for the ones we love dearly? Maybe it is the up bringing, or it could be just a bigger asian cultural approach to dealing with our own human emotions, to be reserved is what we should be and cherished. Straightforwardness is not in our blood? For me, I see it as a balance of both worlds is the best way to go - always the middle path, the buddhist way.
e gradually realized that filming that becomes secondary, what he slowly discovered was also how much he had lost in all these years of neglecting that invisible growing space between a father and son - the lack of real communications and expression of inner feelings towards each other. I for one understood this matter completely. It hits right into the core of my heart. It makes me wonder why it is so hard for us to reveal our true feelings for the ones we love dearly? Maybe it is the up bringing, or it could be just a bigger asian cultural approach to dealing with our own human emotions, to be reserved is what we should be and cherished. Straightforwardness is not in our blood? For me, I see it as a balance of both worlds is the best way to go - always the middle path, the buddhist way. 
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