Fantastic documentary


I couldn't tear my eyes away from this film. I am amazed by the courage of the director, and astounded that he was able to produce this film in China.

Beyond the difficult realities of making such a film in a communist country, the documentary is simply wonderful. He was able to produce a film with no holes, and he did it without seated, formal interviews.

This is the best documentary I have seen in ages.

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From an interview with director Chen;

"I was very reluctant to accept this assignment. It is very dangerous to tell such a story in China, especially when adults are involved. So in the beginning I didn’t have any plan of how to tackle this issue."

Give me a list of other documentary films addressing politics that have been created inside China.

"I can't believe the ideas that some people have about China. It's just amazing to me how what Westerners believe about China is totally divorced from the reality of what goes on here."

Google Guo Feixiong. Learn something about where one winds up after criticising the Chinese government.

"Guo has complained of torture and other inhumane treatment during his long detention, and has gone on hunger strike numerous times in protest... Guo also raised his ill treatment in front of the trial judge on July 9, and further argued that “ninety per cent of my 175 interrogation sessions in detention were related to Taishi Village, and I am therefore clearly being politically persecuted.”

Granted, progress has been made in the China, albeit slowly, but your simplistic reply discounts the very real and ongoing danger of voicing dissent within the borders of the country.

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I'm sorry, but you've been brainwashed throughly by the Chinese government.

Speaking out against the government is fine, as long as you make no waves. Speaking out in one on one conversations to a soldier probably won't get you beaten down, but take a megaphone for a public demonstration against the government, and you will see what the Chinese government is truly capable of.

In fact, if you're brave enough, take a political banner to Tiananmen Square to commemorate the massacre and see how quickly they beat you down and deport you.

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That's not "speaking out," that's "subversion" and it's against the law.

I guess you just pointed out one of the "little things" that people who are into that thing called democracy don't approve of as far as China goes.

If you don't like it then don't come here. Simple as that.

Too bad for the people who happend to be born there and aren't as willing to follow the leader as yourself. I mean some freedom of speech is ok, but not too much, right? That could be dangerous... right...?

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hmm,
the film looks kind of fake in my opinion. the reactions of the children don't even look so natural... so I doubt about it. I mean, the events could have been real, but they could have been manipulating the kids. it looks like some american reality show... the reactions of the kids look so predictable...

hmm, I don't know.
it didn't convince me.




"What if there is no tomorrow? there wasn't one today...!";

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So you expect these kids to behave “naturally” in front of the camera? You obviously watched too many American reality shows.

The kids look like they are being coached and don’t really know what to do. They try to play along at their best. It is funny that you use the word “manipulating”. For a moment, I thought you get it. This is as real documentary.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable film to watch.

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haha if it was an american reality show, kids would have started shooting each other.

I am just saying that the docu didn't totally convince me with the "natural development of the elections" (as the film claims). I am not saying it's a fake, but they might have set up things, or even told the kids what to do. I have seen enough kids reacting in a totally different way in front of the camera (and I am not talking about american kids); For sure they're manipulating the audience.
we have here three kids, one orphan, shy and seemingly without any potential to be a class representative.
then we got the fat spoiled kid, excellent organizer and manipulator; and eventually the seemingly normal kid who wants to lead the class the best way, apparently very honest and wanting to be the ideal leader (seen what he says to his parents at the beginning of the documentary);
at the end turns out that the most promising one (the fat spoiled kid) loses, the we-feel-sorry for girl also loses and the ideal one won. and what does he do? he immediately starts acting like a dictator.
kind of predictable.

Overall. this is a very enjoyable film to watch

For a moment, thought you get it.

haha



"What if there is no tomorrow? there wasn't one today...!";

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Luo was ideal? I doubt that very much. None of them were truly ideal. They're kids (they were being given way too much responsibility for their age). But Cheng was a born politician and/or businessman. Xu Xiaofei - who wasn't an orphan, by the way - was, I think the best choice. She was the only one who didn't - on camera anyway - want to quit.

As for the idea that if it were an American reality show... hmm, you obviously have never seen an American reality show.

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you obviously haven't seen an american reality show either.

but you are right on one thing. those kids were given way too much responsibility for their age.



"What if there is no tomorrow? there wasn't one today...!"

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"they were being given way too much responsibility for their age"

In what sense?

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