The first time I watched "The Three Gorges" was at the screening ceremony of Peking University. Jia Zhangke took his golden lion to thank the teachers and students of Peking University. At that time, I wanted to write something, but there were always some things that were too heavy to think too deeply. That was two months ago.
Later, I rewatched the film at the Fenyang Film Festival. It was an abandoned auditorium with a temporary broadcasting apparatus and no heating. In the cold winter of Fenyang, my tears are cold.
After that, I did a very vulgar thing: I took down the song "A Good Man Lives in Peace" and listened to it repeatedly for many days. For me, this old song is still moving even though I haven't heard it in years. Li Na's voice was thick and deep, as if it was the chance of a good person.
"The Three Gorges Good Man" is really a simple film, without sensationalism or exaggeration. Even Jia Zhangke even used the actor's own name and mobile phone number in the film, but this is another heavy film, watching thousands of years of cities slowly annihilate, watching the tame eyes of kind and good people , even as frivolous as me, I couldn't help but sigh.
Sanming stood by the river and asked where Qingshi Road was. The driver of the motorcycle said: It has been flooded long ago. Did you see the boat there? It used to be my home, and thousands of cities were flooded.
Sanming and Xiao Ma were drinking, and Xiao Ma said in an exaggerated dramatic tone: Do you know why we are so melancholy? Because we all love nostalgia too much.
On the TV, there is a clip of the Three Gorges migrants leaving their hometown by boat. The background music is: rushing, rushing, and surging rivers in the waves...
Zhao Tao is looking for her husband who has changed his mind on the streets of an unfamiliar city. "A Butterfly" song, "You and I are flying together, and we will fly into this world forever."
Some of these details, some bleak and some comical, are presented on the screen without any comment by Jia Zhangke.
It is impossible not to mention the four details of the tobacco, wine, tea and sugar he designed. Jia Zhangke said: "In difficult times, the little people in remote areas can celebrate the New Year as long as they have these four things. The common people have such low requirements for life. "
Outdated mango cigarette shells are repeatedly rubbed by Sanming; workers who are as cheap as grass drink low-quality liquor from sips; white rabbit toffee has long been forgotten by people in big cities; lonely women are silent on the boat Made himself a cup of tea. They are the cheapest tobacco, alcohol, tea and sugar, but they bring a little joy to the bleak life. In fact, happiness is so easy, only those who are suffering will understand.
No matter how poor, no matter how outdated, no matter how heavy, no matter how cowardly, keep on being a good person. Because only good people can taste the cheapest tobacco, alcohol, tea and sugar.
I don't know if everyone who grew up in a small town likes Jia Zhangke's movies, but I like them very much. The winter, scenery, sorrows and joys in a small northern town may be similar. Every time I watch Jia's movies, I will feel some self-pity for the background of my small town.
View more about Still Life reviews
