Ermo (1994)

A woman gets obsessed with buying a television for her family.

Director:

Xiaowen Zhou

Writers:

Baoqi Xu (story), Lang Yun

Stars:

Liya Ai, Peiqi Liu, Zhijun Ge

8 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liya Ai	...	Ermo
Peiqi Liu	...	Blindman
Zhijun Ge	...	Ermo's husband
Haiyan Zhang	...	Blindman's wife
Zhenguo Yan	...	Huzi, Ermo's Son
Xiao Yang	...	Xiazi's Daughter
Shengxia Yang
Zhi Yanyan
Shen Enshen
Baochang Chen
Jun Wu
Hui Du
Li Yong'gui
Songhai Gao
Wenming Yang

Storyline

Women's roles and consumerism in a Chinese village. The independent Ermo supports her son and disabled husband, rising early to make noodles she sells as a street vendor. A snooty neighbor has a TV, so Ermo wants a huge one. The neighbor's husband, Blindman, offers her transport to sell baskets she's made. After he gets her a city job making restaurant noodles and more money, their relationship becomes an affair. She's also selling her blood. When she discovers Blindman is subsidizing her pay, she throws the money at him and quits the job; he covers their affair and her reputation by getting beaten up over a woman in the city. When she has enough for the TV, she's exhausted.

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Plot Keywords:

television | adultery | tragicomedy | food

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

8 June 1995 (USA)

Box Office

Gross:

$57,872 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ocean Film (II), Shanghai Film Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Keeping up with Jones's Chinese style

Appealing to one of the most basic themes of human nature-- the grass is always greener.... Ermo struggles to regain her family's lost prestige in a remote mountain village and win back her son's straying attention and allegiance(?) by winning the battle of keeping up (and beating) the Jones's-- Chinese style.

What could have been a very heavy handed commentary on the perils of capitalist greed turns out of be a extremely charming comic satire instead. Clearly, one of the most overlooked and underrated Chinese films of its time! There's still a morality tale here but it's a genuinely delightful one replete with an endearing heroine, a whiny husband, and the delightfully wicked neighbor-lady-next door. There aren't many films that can serve up a palatable cautionary tale with a side of noodles to boot-- but this one certainly does. This film is definitely a must for Chinese film fans.