MovieChat Forums > Qiu Ju da guan si (1993) Discussion > Ironic? (Spoilers)

Ironic? (Spoilers)

posted 15 years ago by Hypatia42
3 replies | jump to latest

I would like to ask if anyone else viewed the film as ironic.

Set in a fundamentally non-capitalist rural community, the peasant woman refuses to see money as a just compensation for a social conflict. She pursues her case to her own financial disadvantage, wanting to be 'made whole' not with compensation for lost wages or 'losing face,' but to have the respect and honest apology from the Chief to her husband for the pain, embarrassment, and potential impotence he caused Qiu Ju's husband.

Yet the machinery of the law is unable to recognize the 'personal' element in the confrontation. Official after official, lawyer after consultant each looks on it as something to be haggled over, and a price determined.

There is a piteous irony that the woman who has a deep, wholesome sense of 'value' is disappointed again and again by the impersonal touch of the law.

I wonder if I am over imbuing the film with meaning, but I felt that this was in some sense a critique of all authority; it is able to escalate or abstract confrontations (into estimates of 'damages' and financial value), but not resolve them.

Any takers on this?

[–] prabash 14 years ago

Just finished watching this.I agree with your take on the film,the way you put it is by no mean an over imbuement.

The simplicity in values of this peasant woman is somewhat compared with those of people and establishments with more knowledge,authority and so called "sense".
The sincerity in the flow of the story reminds me of the chinese folk stories/poems that I came across as a student(I'm from south asia)
The rawness human expressions is remarkable.

And the best thing is that every character in this narrative is justifiable.
And also the difference between rural china and its city's where social and economic changes are taking place is clearly shown.

Recently I started watching movies from foreign countries instead of just watching hollywood flicks,I'd be glad if you can suggest me a few other foreign titles :)

[–] Hypatia42 14 years ago

I'm so glad someone agrees!

I love films from all over the world and can suggest the following for their coherency, sentiment, and beauty:

The King of Masks
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Au Revoir Les Enfants
Afterlife
Umberto D. (this one is older but -will- stick with you)
Pan's Labyrinth (one of the most beautifully filmed story's of the era)
Children of Heaven
Raise the Red Lanterns (also starring Li Gong)

Although this might sound strange, but in terms of valuing 'crime' in its personal meaning rather than the legal meaning, I often think of Gosford Park as one of the best films in the genre. Somehow, I think Qiu Ju and Gosford Park have the same tone on that issue.

If I've missed any good ones feel free to let me know. :)

[–] fattyfattyfatty 13 years ago

Excellent point! This film can be seen as a critique of the Chinese legal system, Qiu Ju even expresses how pointless her efforts where (im surprised this film wasnt banned but Red Lantern was). I loved this film, so amusing lol