Shower - 洗澡

Shower (洗澡) is a 1999 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Zhu Xu, Pu Cunxin, and Jiang Wu. The film is directed by Zhang Yang.

In an old part of Beijing, a bath house is being run by Old Liu and his 2nd son, Liu Erming. Erming is mentally challenged. The older son, Liu Daming returns when he receives a postcard that he interprets is the passing of his father. Daming and Old Liu are not on good terms because Daming went south to get rich and abondoned his family. Old Liu goes so far as to say that Daming is ashamed of his fathers profession. However, upon his return to Beijing, Daming starts to make amends. Will it work out for this family?

The movie was slow and hard to follow. Going for character development more than a fast pace movie, it grows on you and at the end, you may feel satisfied with the film. I was. I am glad I didn't give up and let the movie develop, because the pay off was good. Worth a watch, but beware that its a movie that shows its age. And for those not aware of the showering custom of those in Zhong Guo. Showering isn't a daily occurrence for them. For many, have one every couple of weeks is common. In the more rural areas, once a month is common too. Will it change in the future, we will see.

風聲 - The Message

風聲 (The Message) is a 2009 film out of China. The person behind the film is Taiwanese film-maker, Chen Kuo-Fu. The film stars Zhou Xun, Li Bing Bing, Zhang Hanyu, Huang Xiao Ming, Alec Su, Wang Zhi Wen, and Ying Da. The film is based in 1942 Nanjing during the Japanese occupation.



After the fall of the nationalist Chinese capital of Nanjing during the Nanjing Massacre, the Japanese have set up a puppet regime. But an underground resistance movement has been established and they have successfully assassinated many high level Japanese officers. The puppet government works in conjunction with the Japanese find that there may be a mole in their ranks. They than set out on a spy hunt. With a fake message sent and seen by only 5 people, these 5 are brought to a secluded castle where they are interrogated. One by one, they are subject to psychological games. Will any of these 5 survive? Will they turn on each other? What horrific methods will the captors be subjugated to?



The movie has a pretty star studded cast. Huang Xiao Ming plays the Japanese interrogator out to find the spy. Zhou Xun, Li Bing Bing, Zhang Hanyu, and Alec Su play the captors. Their job is the survive and get out alive. When put in that situation, how will you react?



I've been a big Alec Su and Li Bing Bing fan for many years now. From Alec Su's post military service days to Li Bing Bing's turn in wuxia dramas. I haven't seen much of Alec these last few years. Li Bing Bing has transitioned from a wuxia lady to leading lady. Although both have matured with age, they are still both very good.

Zhang Hanyu is starting to grow on me. Zhang has quietly established himself as one of the top tier actors of China.



I liked the movie for the most part. There are quite a few subplots that you won't see in the movie summaries that give the storyline added complexity and meaning.



The Message has done well at the box office in China and Taiwan so far. I don't think it'll make it here to the states other than in film festivals and eventually DVD. I bought an imported China version from a local DVD place for $10.

There are lots and lots of promo and press junkets for this movie. I've included some of the ones that I enjoyed.