To Live (1994)

One of the best films of 1994, To Live is a bold, energetic masterpiece from Zhang Yimou, the foremost director from China's influential "fifth generation" of filmmakers. Continuing his brilliant collaboration with China's best-known actress Gong Li (their previous films include Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern), Zhang weaves an ambitious tapestry of personal and political events, following the struggles of an impoverished husband and wife (Ge You, Gong Li) from their heyday in the 1940s to the hardships that accompanied the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. They raise two children amidst a Communist regime, surviving numerous setbacks and yet managing, somehow, to live. Both intimate and epic, Zhang's film encompasses the simplest and most profound realities of Chinese life during this controversial period, and for their honesty, Zhang and Gong Li faced a two-year ban on future collaborations. To Live is a testament to their art, transcending politics to celebrate the tenacity of ordinary people in the wake of turbulent history. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Horrors of communism unveiled

This is a fabulous movie and a testimony to the ability of Chinese film makers to tell the story. Hollywood could never put something like this together. It takes the main characters from the time they're newly married and wealthy to the poverty in sunset of their lives. They live quite the lives as they experience the horrors communism wreaks all about them. They go from disaster to disaster, losing everything they have but slowly realizing that they have only each other and that their family is the most precious thing they have. It's a bit disheartening to see that when they lose family members there is no hope or light at the end of the tunnel that they could look forward to. The heartbreak that communist ideology caused by taking away this hope is perhaps its greatest crime. Another required movie. September 6, 2008

Inocence and generosity

If any of these virtues exist, it is in this movie. Great actors, I acclaim them, from the child to the old man. August 25, 2008

Chinese history comes alive

"To Live" was recommended to me by a friend who heard I was reading the biography of Mao Tse Tung. The story follows the life of an average family starting in the 1940s in China and through the 1970s. It is great historical fiction, as you can see traumatic episodes in Chinese history like the "Great Leap Forward" and the "Cultural Revolution" take place through the eyes of those who have no idea what is going on.

The message of this movie to me was that life is precious, no matter how hard the adversity, trials and afflications you might have to go through. It was definitely an inspiring movie, though it is also heartbreaking at times.

I would recommend to anyone interested in Chinese history or a good foreign film. July 14, 2008

BEST. MOVIE. EVER.

An amazing movie. It is one of Gong Li and Zhang Yimou's greatest collaboration. You must see it. June 26, 2008

Worthy...

This Chinese subtitled film begins in the 1940's and ends in the 70's. Fugui, a gambler, loses his family fortune and their home to his addiction. His Father disowns him. His pregnant wife, Jiazhen, leaves him taking their daughter with her. Fugui, penniless and homeless, takes to the street to sell goods to make a living. Jiazhen notices that her husband has shaken his addiction and has learned his lesson. She returns and introduces Fugui to their new born son. Fugui sets out to earn a new living with his family now reconciled and turns to a loan shark who lends him hand puppets rather than cash. Fugui gathers a performing troupe and sets out on the road to perform where he encounters the Chinese Revolutionary Army. The story passes thru the four decades weaving in the Fugui & Jiazhen family story with Chinese history during the period.

The beauty of the film, beyond the spectacular images and casting, is in its quiet moments, husband with wife, mother with children, loss of family members and their grieving and their enduring tragedies and hardship.
June 1, 2008

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