“To live” is an adaptation of Yu Hua‘s novel of the same name, directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Ge You and Gong li.
“To live” is set in the context of the Chinese civil war and the political movements after the founding of new China(PRC). It reflects the fate of a generation of Chinese through the life of the hero Fu Gui. In 1994, the film won the grand jury award, best actor award and other awards at the 47th Cannes international film festival.
“To live” is a Chinese-style black humor film that spans a long period of time and is praised by some audiences and critics as one of Zhang Yimou‘s best works. Through a person’s life experience, the film covers the pain of life beyond one’s control in history and derives a bitter smile to death.
“To live” has a certain historical character, which is packaged under the destiny of individuals and families. At the same time, it reveals a vague sense of compassion and sad black humor. The film reflects the vicissitudes of nonentity and the absurdity of the times in the simplified historical background. The ending of the film is mild but thought-provoking. The life of Fu Gui is a process of gradual evolution. The film also gently satirizes the great leap forward and cultural revolution.
The story of the film is very kind and real as if it happened around the audience. A helpless person in a history of great changes ups and downs, he completely can not control his fate, misfortune is always around him. However, he never gave up the belief to live, and never complain about heaven and earth. He has great hopes for life and the future.
“To live” let us know that only to live to witness the unyielding life. And it’s worth seeing.
