Di yi ci de li bie (2018)

Di yi ci de li bie (2018). 1h 26m

“When I read a brief synopsis of this film for the Jerusalem film festival, I feared it might be a political screed about the besieged Uygher people oppressed by China. Instead it was primarily a lovely human story of two families going through changes to their to their impoverished agricultural lifestyles. Yes, some political implications, with Mainland Mandarin language and pressures dominating their lifestyles, but the focus here is much more on simple eternal issues of illness, growing old, marital discord, its effect on children, big city u0026quot;progressu0026quot; vs. simple family values, the u0026quot;importanceu0026quot; of education (maybe?). The children here are just wonderful. Beautiful, non affected, funny, utterly believable, apparently some non professional actors. The cinematography lush at times, always simple and captivating. Haunting music and some lovely poetry. Listen to the beautiful song the father sings to his wife. These people lead very different lives than most of the westerners who will see the movie, and yet all the conflicts, problems, and joys seem so touching and real. A special gem, methinks.”