First Episodes 2: 空镜子, Empty Mirror

[zander1]

15 minutes ago, roddy said:

Did you find a good quality version online?

 

Sadly not, am just watching a low quality version on youtube.

[imron]

This is a good series, from a Beijing that mostly no longer exists.

 

P.S. if you're going through all the first episodes you've got a treat coming up with《魔幻手机》

[zander1]

Update: am on episode 9 and still really enjoying it.

 

Totally agree with you Imron that this is from a Beijing that no longer exists, although I can't really put my finger on what it is that seems so different about it, would be interested to know your thoughts! It's obviously dated in terms of technology but when I watch it the thing that captures me the most is a sort of melancholic mood, one I think is really rooted in the past.

 

Language is not too complicated and I can understand at least the gist of most things. The only things that totally go over my head are the mother's references to Dream of the Red Chamber; as this is continually brought up I assume it must be a leitmotif connected to the plot as a whole or something.

[roddy]

It's the lack of cars. The old buses. The run down hutong homes which aren't exclusive hotels. And most of all, it's the whistling pigeons.

[zander1]

Just finished this series - really enjoyed it, such a good example of how good understated and realistic TV can be. 

 

I feel this show could be remade for the modern era without changing too much, but maybe there's not the appetite for this type of show at the moment in China (I honestly don't know). 

 

Thanks for for the recommendation, now to choose my next show!

[imron]

魔幻手机

[zander1]

On 23/04/2017 at 4:04 PM, imron said:

魔幻手机

 

Ah, just looked at this properly - sci fi is not my thing sadly (in any language).

[imron]

It's more fantasy than scifi, but if that's also not your thing, then my next recommendation would be 潜伏