Tianming has been referred to as 'The Godfather of the Fifth Generation' of mainland Chinese directors, which includes the likes of Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou, and if his works may be said to share anything with these two directors, it's a bond of traditional sentimentalism married to social realism - chronologically distanced from the current regime, for obvious reasons.Here, the bare bones of a Disney-style heartwarmer plot about the travails of a poor street performer (complete with monkey) and the orphan he adopts as his heir and apprentice, are fleshed out with a carefully applied sense of indignation at social injustice, particularly relating to the lot of women in Chinese society, which is communicated all the more effectively for being presented through such a disarming medium. Beautifully shot with affecting performances, it makes the most of its simple ingredients.
7/10
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