In many Chinese movies, the stories are set in fictional places, much like in some of the films I've recommended before, such as An Elephant Sitting Still or the TV show The Long Season. However, there are films where the setting plays a crucial role in the story, and today I’d like to highlight a few movies that take place in Beijing over the last few decades. These films can give you insight into the city’s transformation and societal changes.

很多中文影视剧都会虚构一个背景城市，比如之前推文里提到的《大象席地而坐》和《漫长的季节》。然而对于有些电影来说，城市设定在故事讲述中至关重要。今天我想介绍一些故事背景为北京的电影。通过这些电影，我们可以看到这座城市的变迁。

Beijing, one of the fastest-changing cities in the world, has seen huge changes just in the past twenty years. The city has grown quickly, with new buildings, modern neighborhoods, and updated landmarks appearing all the time. This rapid development reflects broader shifts in China’s economy and society, showing how much the city and country have transformed.

北京，作为世界上发展最快的城市之一，在过去的二十年里发生了翻天覆地的变化。随着城市发展，现代化的社区和一些新地标建筑也不断地涌现出来。北京的发展也从侧面反映了中国经济和社会的转变。

Beijing Bicycle / 十七岁的单车

Directed by Wang Xiaoshuai (who also directed So Long, My Son), this 2001 film shows the city’s busy streets around the year 2000, the mix of old and new neighborhoods, and the challenges faced by people moving from rural areas to the city. It highlights the struggles of young people and the gap between rich and poor, reflecting how quickly Beijing was changing and how that affected everyday life for its residents.

由王小帅执导（他也是《地久天长》的导演），这部2001年的电影展示了当时北京的热闹与繁忙，同时也可以看到外来务工者在这个大都市所面临的挑战与窘迫。导演也探讨了贫富差距问题以及城市发展对人们日常生活的影响。

Lost in Beijing / 苹果

Directed by Li Yu, this 2007 film tells the story of a young woman who works in a massage parlor in Beijing and becomes embroiled in a complicated relationship with her boss and husband. It explores life in Beijing through the story of these people who face a series of personal and social challenges. The film shows how quickly the city is changing and the challenges faced by everyday people as the city grows. It offers a look at the social issues and pressures of living in a big, fast-changing city, reflecting the complexities of life in modern Beijing.

上映于2007年，由李玉执导，讲述了一位在北京按摩店工作的年轻女性的故事。工作原因她和按摩店老板卷入了一段复杂的关系。通过这位女孩儿的故事展现了在快速发展的北京，普通人所经历的挣扎与迷茫。

A Beautiful Life / 不再让你孤单

This 2011 film, directed by Andrew Lau, is about a Hong Kong real estate mogul who’s a career-driven woman. She moves to Beijing to succeed in real estate, but she also struggles with alcoholism and finds herself in a complicated romantic situation with a Beijing police officer. The movie shows the fast-paced real estate world and the personal struggles of the characters. It gives you a glimpse of both the lively city life in Beijing and the deeper issues the characters are dealing with.

这部2011年上映的电影，导演是刘伟强，讲述了一位香港女孩儿选择到北京发展一番事业，却在机缘巧合下与一位警察相爱的故事。电影呈现了那个时期迅速发展的房地产行业与从事在这一行业中的人们的奋斗日常。

Mr. Six / 老炮儿

Directed by Guan Hu, this 2015 film tells the story of an old-school gangster in Beijing who faces the challenges of a rapidly modernizing city. The film shows the contrast between the traditional ways of life and the new, fast-paced urban environment. It explores themes of loyalty, change, and the clash between old and new generations, offering a glimpse into Beijing's evolving social landscape.

这部电影上映于2015年，由管虎执导，讲述了一个关于老北京“胡同文化”和代际冲突的故事。影片展示了在城市发展过程中，新旧生活方式和理念的冲突。

Us and Them / 后来的我们

Lastly, here’s one more movie that I’ve recommended before, which focuses on the lives of two young people from different backgrounds who meet on a train in Beijing. The film explores their personal stories and the divide between the rich and poor in the city. It highlights the complexities of life in modern Beijing, providing a view of the city’s social issues and changing dynamics in the late 2010s.

最后，再推荐一部我之前提到过的电影。它讲述了两个北漂的年轻人的爱情故事。从中我们可以看到当代年轻人在北京生活的压力。电影通过他们的故事探讨了城市中存在的贫富差距。

These movies provide a glimpse into the lives of people in China’s capital over recent years and offer a taste of what it might be like to live there as an ordinary citizen. If you want to learn more about this unique city, check out my newsletter from a few weeks ago, where I wrote about my favorite part of Beijing, the hutongs, which also feature in several of these films.

看完这些电影，相信你会更加了解一个普通人在中国首都的生活情况。如果你对北京这座城市感兴趣，欢迎你查看我的另一篇推文，在这里我介绍了北京的胡同，希望你会喜欢。

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