This movie honestly depicts the common problem of China, the shortage of housing, by eulogizing the official who tried hard to solve the problem.
The hidden social criticism, however, is difficult to realize because it is well hidden for fear of governmental censorship. After all, this movie was made at the beginning of the reform in the early 1980's China.
The hidden social criticism is that for most people, it was too late. The good official who tried hard to solve the problem was liberated from the labor camp but his health was seriously damaged and as a result, he died before the task could be completed and only a few people benefited from his effort. This is the fate of many cadres and the movie did an excellent job in criticize the evil of the Cultural Revolution despite its careful approach of hidden theme.
The hidden social criticism, however, is difficult to realize because it is well hidden for fear of governmental censorship. After all, this movie was made at the beginning of the reform in the early 1980's China.
The hidden social criticism is that for most people, it was too late. The good official who tried hard to solve the problem was liberated from the labor camp but his health was seriously damaged and as a result, he died before the task could be completed and only a few people benefited from his effort. This is the fate of many cadres and the movie did an excellent job in criticize the evil of the Cultural Revolution despite its careful approach of hidden theme.
