MovieChat Forums > Kan shang qu hen mei (2006) Discussion > A thought about the ending - *Warning - ...

A thought about the ending - Warning - Spoilers

posted 17 years ago by Lingyi
4 replies | jump to latest

A beautifully done movie with an abrupt and somewhat confusing ending.

The movie is apparently set in early post Mao revolution China (circa early to mid 1950s). Individuality is scorned and conformity is the rule.

Qiangqiang has been the rebel and conformist (though still retaining that streak of rebellion and inviduality within him). He "escapes" the oppresive school only to find himself alone. Then he sees the a group of marchers that represent the epitomy of conformity, all dressed alike and marching in step.* And what do they have as their reward for their diligence to the party line... gigantic red flowers! Qiangqiang lays down in defeat.

*Note: I'm not familiar enough with Chinese history to be sure, but I believe these are not military personnel. Their dress is the unisex norm for the era and they could be any of a number of "ordinary" citizens, marching in celebration of an event to celebrate Mao, the revolution or the party itself.

Edit: I just watched Kong Que (Peacock) and there's a scene of military recruits wearing the large red flowers as they leave for training.

Also, it's been a while since I've watched the film, but I recall a scene where some of the children mimic the marchers early on, foreshadowing their future as "good" conformist party members.

As mentioned by one of the commentors. It's difficult for non-native Chinese viewers to fully understand the often subtle references and inferences in Mainland Chinese films. As such, we're left with the question whether Qiangqiang's defiance and quest to be recognized as an individual is an act of heroism or foolishness in the eyes of the writer(s) and director.

Addendum: I just found an insightful interview with director Zhang Yuan www.cinematical.com/2006/02/21/sundance-interview-zhang-yuan/ in which he states: "As for Qiang, he’s indeed a little hero."

Postscript...my thoughts are drawn to Lu Xun's extraordinary work, "A Madman's Diary" in which he uses cannibalism as an allegory for the Pre-Revolution China in which the country was literally and figuratively feasting upon itself. The final line of the story "Save the children" seems an appropriate cry for this film.

Lu Xun's short story is available here:
http://www.shelterbelt.com/RELIT/CHINA/luxundiary.html

[–] carddealt 16 years ago

Hey Lingyi, I just wanted to say a thankyou for this post, since no one else has. It was extremely helpful and informative.

You've made me appreciate this film in a completely different way. It really is an amazingly film, particularly from western eyes with a knoweldge of chinese history that can be attributed only to movie sources (mainly Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhang-Ke). It's a shame that most people (including myself) know so little of chinese history that they will only see the decoy-like storyline of the boy's journey through this part documentary-like, part pseudo-fairytale boarding school. I didn't even question when this film may have been set, or what the flowers may represent, or more importantly - the role of the soldiers. I think it takes a truly great director to refrain so confidently from turning their film into a history lesson just to appeal to those who may not know the history or meanings of their culture. A film like Little Red Flowers, or of similarly challenging films such as Masahiro Shinoda's Assassination, Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern or Kaneto Shindo's Onibaba create a challenge for the viewer willing to put in the extra hours of research, but this only makes the film that much richer.

I'm going to watch this again for sure, with your post in mind - once i've had a read over the links and the short story you posted.

Thanks again, i believe you may well be my new favourite person. Which is nice.

I am going to begin today with a headstand...Diane, I am now upside-down

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] expiry223 15 years ago

A few more supplementary notes:

I have started a film production course this year, and one of our students are chinese. I showed him a film yesterday, and he showed me "Little Red Flowers" today.

He told me that he had gone to a kindergarden exactly like this one (sleeping there at night, all the rules of conformity, and having to poop at the same time. According to him, he could never do that part, so like Qiang, he probably got no red flower).

He also told me those who stood out and fought to be non-conformist would get problems later on, for example in higher education. And he said something like this to me: "kindergarden is just the first part of the schooling".

This really paints a bleak picture of China, repressing those who in many other countries would be rewarded for being unique.

One thing more he mentioned, I didn't quite get all of, but I think he said that the people marching at the end of the movie before Qiang lays down was a sign of the beginning of the Cultural Revolution.

Anyway, it was a very interesting peak into a world for children so very different from mine. Glad more enjoy it!

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

A thought about the ending - *Warning - Spoilers*

A thought about the ending - Warning - Spoilers