Not One Less
(1999)
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
Not One Less
(1999)
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Minzhi Wei | ... | |
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Huike Zhang | ... |
Zhang Huike
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Zhenda Tian | ... |
Village Chief
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Enman Gao | ... |
Teacher Gao
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Zhimei Sun | ... |
Sun Zhimei
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Yuying Feng | ... |
TV Receptionist
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Fanfan Li | ... |
TV Host
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Yichang Zhang | ... |
Mr Zhang, instructor
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Zhanqing Xu | ... |
Brick factory owner
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Hanzhi Liu | ... |
Zhang Huike's mother
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Ma Guolin | ... |
Bus station man
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Wu Wanlu | ... |
TV station manager
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Liu Ru | ... |
Train station announcer
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Wang Shulan | ... |
Stationery store clerk
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Fu Xinmin | ... |
TV station director
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In a remote mountain village, the teacher must leave for a month, and the mayor can find only a 13-year old girl, Wei Minzhi, to substitute. The teacher leaves one stick of chalk for each day and promises her an extra 10 yuan if there's not one less student when he returns. Within days, poverty forces the class troublemaker, Zhang Huike, to leave for the city to work. Minzhi, possessed of a stubborn streak, determines to bring him back. She enlists the 26 remaining pupils in earning money for her trip. She hitches to Jiangjiakou City and begins her search. The boy, meanwhile, is there, lost and begging for food. Minzhi's stubbornness may be Huike and the village school's salvation. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
At the moment this art house gem of a film rates an IMDB 7.9, so obviously many of us film buffs love it. This film is innovative, delicate, and harshly authentic. If you enjoy international film festival flicks, you MUST see this film. Actually I believe this film should be required viewing for film students who aspire to be directors, cinematographers, etc.
However, if you prefer action, Hollywood formula flicks, car chases or even complex plots, then avoid this film. You will probably fall asleep or just be irritated.
If you watch this film with your heart, with a good dose of patience, you you will then understand the message. If tears do not come to you during the main character's emotional appeal, then you are probably not aligned with the spirit of this film.
Personally I was stunned by the deep impact this film had on me. Yes, it was indeed 'slow', but this allowed for the genuine portrayal of common hope and suffering. I have been a film buff for over 4 decades and this film stands out as refreshingly different. By the way, it is supposed to be a true story, and this added significantly to the film's realism. Also, it does seem that none of the people in the film were professional actors, which is amazing in spite of a sort of documentary feel at times. If you have an open heart and mind, see it!