Welcome to my 10th newsletter! In one of my earlier newsletters I already introduced you to my favorite Chinese movie, An Elephant Sitting Still, and today I’ll talk about two more Chinese movies that you shouldn’t miss if you want to know a bit more about Chinese society and some of the struggles that everyday people might face in China.

欢迎你打开我的第10篇推文！之前我介绍了自己最喜欢的中文电影《大象席地而坐》。今天我想聊一聊和《大象席地而坐》一样，展示中国底层人民生活的另外两部电影。

One of the best current directors in China is Wang Xiaoshuai, and his newest movie, Above The Dust, has already been screened at some foreign film festivals and received great reviews. However, it is currently unclear if it will be allowed to be shown in China. Definitely try to catch it in theaters if it is screened somewhere near you, but until then, you can watch his previous masterpiece (available on Apple TV+):

王小帅是当下中国最优秀的导演之一，他最新的电影《沃土》已经在国外电影节放映，并大获好评。不过，目前还不清楚能否在中国上映。如果你附近的影院正好在播《沃土》，我强烈推荐你去看看。导演还有另一部非常优秀的作品，已经可以在Apple TV+观看。

So Long, My Son

《地久天长》

So Long, My Son is a moving drama that explores the lives of two families over several decades, against the backdrop of China's social and economic transformations. The film touches on subjects such as the impact of China's one-child policy, the Cultural Revolution, and the country's rapid modernization.

《地久天长》时间横跨几十年，讲述了在中国社会和经济转型大背景下两个家庭生活的变化。在电影中可以看到计划生育政策，文化大革命，中国国家现代化转型，对普通家庭的影响。

We see how one of the families deals with losing their only child, and the effect the policy, which prevents them from having another child, has on them. As the decades pass, we also learn more about how China’s transition into a market-oriented economy changes the lives of these families. It is one of my favorite Chinese movies, taking place in multiple locations around China, including my home for several years, Beijing.

一对夫妇失去了唯一的儿子，但是由于计划生育政策在实施，法律不允许他们再要一个孩子。同时随着中国向市场经济的转型，这个普通家庭的生活也不得不随之改变。《天长地久》的故事发生在中国几个不同的城市，其中也包括我生活了很多年的北京。这也是我最爱的中国电影之一。

Return to Dust

《隐入尘埃》

Li Ruijun’s film tells the story of two lonely and outcast individuals in a rural village in China’s Gansu province. Ma Youtie is a middle-aged farmer who has spent his life working in the fields. Cao Guiying is a woman with a physical disability and chronic illness, who is also neglected by her family. These two people find themselves in a forced marriage, but they end up caring for each other deeply.

李睿珺导演的作品讲述了两个农民之间的故事，故事发生在中国甘肃省的小山村。马有铁是一生都在田里劳作的中年农民。曹贵英是一位因为身患疾病而被家人嫌弃的农村女性。虽然这两个被社会遗弃的人是被别人安排进婚姻的，但却相互关心，相互照顾。

This movie is also close to my heart because, just like the characters in the film, I also grew up in a rural village and have first-hand experience of the hardships and difficulties that people deal with in the countryside. The characters’ relationship is beautifully depicted, and the actors’ performances are exceptional, despite the fact that it was the male lead’s (Wu Renlin) first performance, as the director wanted a real farmer to play the protagonist in his movie. The main actress (Qing-Hai) also underwent a huge transformation; you can barely recognize her in this movie.

这部电影之所以非常打动我，是因为我也出生于一个小山村，农民的苦难与艰辛我深有体会。看电影你可能会觉得男主角是很厉害的演员，但其实这是他第一次演电影，他是一位真正的农民。女演员（海清）对角色的塑造也很成功，甚至很难认出来是她。

Note that the characters don’t speak Mandarin Chinese in this movie; they use a regional dialect. In many rural areas, people still use their local dialects instead of Mandarin Chinese in their everyday conversations. However, I still recommend you watch this movie if you’re interested in learning more about rural China or just want to watch a great emotional movie.

由于讲的是农村故事，所以电影中使用的是甘肃方言。在中国的大部分农村地区，人们日常交流中仍然使用当地方言。如果你对中国的方言感兴趣，一定不要错过这部电影。

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