kekexili and other underrated chinese films

[michaelm]

I saw the movie Kekexili and was really surprised that it wasn't at all what I expected and in fact was much better.

I guess being bombarded with ads for movies like 'A World Without Thieves' (which I don't remember caring for a whole lot) I get a little jaded about the blockbuster Chinese movies.

Anyone else stumble across any recent movies that they consider underrated?

[laolee]

LIFE SHOW 生活秀- wonderful performance by Tao Hong, gorgeous looking film

PIRATED COPY - fun and dark at the same time, play spot the film reference, video piracy from various perspectives of the supply chain

BLIND SHAFT 蔓延 - not really underrated, but oft forgotten

MISSING GUN 尋槍 - Jiang Wen in Lu Chuan's (Kekexili) debut film

GREEN TEA 綠茶 - Jiang Wen and Zhao Wei, cinematography by Christopher Doyle

SOMETHING ABOUT SECRET 說出你的秘密 - thoughtful and suspensful

FAR FROM HOME 我的美麗鄉愁 - Olympic gymnast turned actress Liu Xuan, some find sappy, I found it touching

[Gary Soup]

I just watched "When Ruo Ma Was Seventeen" and liked it a lot in spite of the fact that the plot was a pretty thin love story (though bittersweet and not cloying).

[laolee]

I was thinking of getting RUO MA, thanks.

Has anyone see MEMORY OF THE YOUTH 少年往事 (I'm pretty sure this is a mainland production) or YOUNG GIRL RAN MU 少女穆然?

[wushijiao]

"When Ruo Ma Was Seventeen"

I also liked this small budget film. It created stereotypes, and then sort of played with them, I thought. Plus, the scenery made me want to go to the nearest travel agent.

This is a good topic. Keep the suggestions coming! I'd also like to see more than just the latest blockbusters.