Bian zou bian chang (1991)

A blind man's master told him that after he has broken 1000 strings on his Banjo, he can open the Banjo to get a script for his eyes. After 60 years he broke the 1000th string...

Director:

Kaige Chen

Writers:

Kaige Chen, Tiesheng Shi (novel)

Stars:

Zhongyuan Liu, Lei Huang, Qing Xu

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Zhongyuan Liu	...	Old Master
Lei Huang	...	Shitou
Qing Xu	...	Lanxiu
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ling Ma	...	Noodle stall owner's wife
Erga Yao	...	Retarded man at noodle stall
Jinzhan Zhang	...	Lanxiu's father
Zhengyuan Zhang	...	Noodle stall owner / God of death
Ling Zhong	...	Pharmacist

Storyline

A blind man's master told him that after he has broken 1000 strings on his Banjo, he can open the Banjo to get a script for his eyes. After 60 years he broke the 1000th string...

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Plot Keywords:

banjo | village | hope | peace | banjo string | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance | War

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Details

Country:

China Germany UK

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

18 March 1992 (France)

Also Known As:

Life on a String

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing Film Studio, China Film Co-Production Corporation, Pandora Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

A Lyrical, emotionally rich vision from Chen Kaige

Few films have effected me as this one, a quiet gem that details the long life of a blind musician searching for purpose. He is considered a saint by the local villagers, often wisely singing on the pettiness of their quarrels, and the beauty of life and brotherhood...

As in Bergmans' 'Wild Strawberries', the protagonist is at a point in his life where death is around the corner. His one wish is to regain his sight, his hope had been sown by his own dying master. When a set amount of strings are plucked a secret compartment in his instrument will open, the cure inside.

The film is beatifully photographed, the acting heartfelt and believable, and the music,the music...

Well, the first time I saw this film, it wasn't from the beginning, in fact, I caught the last 10 minutes of it. The old man,singing to a crowd , finally excepting his fate. He muses the love that he felt for the villagers, and the disappointments and joys that came with his life. It was one of the most beautiful segments I had seen in film. I was actually brought to tears...

Overall an excellent film, and I'm looking foward to seeing this director's other work.

10 out of 10