a film by Wulan Tana
Seeking refuge from abusive foster parents, a seven-year-old orphaned girl runs away and finds safety under the care of a poor, illiterate old man from another village. Despite his lack of money and despite being taunted by friends, the elderly man does everything in his power to protect the young child whom he believes was delivered to him by fate.
Xiao Hua has escaped from her abusive foster parents and finds herself starved and barely conscious in a village of strangers. Though the villagers feel sorry for her, only an infirm old man is willing to take her in and provide for her care. The uneducated, elderly man is a hard worker, so he could afford to send Xiao Hua to school, even though he is barely able to support his own needs. Xiao Hua works hard at school and forms a close bond with the old man, whom she calls Grandpa, but he endures constant bitterness and betrayal from his son, Bao Zhu, and daughter-in-law, Xiang Cao, who is unable to conceive. Xiao Hua attempts to fill this void for them, but her innocence is rejected repeatedly by Xiang Cao's selfishness as she tries desperately to send Xiao Hua away.
The old man's only wish is to provide Xiao Hua with a home and a bright future and he will do anything he can to deliver his promises. While the villagers and his son don't understand what he could possibly expect from the young orphan, the old man's kindness melts away all the boundaries and gradually Xiao Hua thaws the hearts of Bao Zhu and Xiang Cao. This poignant story of selfless love is a study in patience and humility, with a stirring conclusion when the daughter-in-law must face her own intolerance and ingratitude when the truth about her husband is finally revealed.
Adapted from a true story and drawn from the real lives led by many poor, ordinary people, this heart-rending and deeply moving drama with its simple but profound message, illustrates their kindness and suffering endured for the sake of love. Writer/director Wulan Tana's first feature won her the prestigious Golden Rooster Award for Best Directorial Debut at Beijing in 2003.
No comments:
Post a Comment