Yi ge dou bu neng shao (1999)

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writer:

Xiangsheng Shi (writer)

Release Date:

30 October 1999 (South Korea)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

In a remote mountain village, the teacher must leave for a month, and the mayor can find only a 13-year old girl...

Plot Keywords:

City | Teacher | Village | Mayor | Boy

Awards:

15 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Minzhi Wei	...	Wei Minzhi
Huike Zhang	...	Zhang Huike
Zhenda Tian	...	Village Chief
Enman Gao	...	Teacher Gao
Zhimei Sun	...	Sun Zhimei
Yuying Feng	...	TV Receptionist
Fanfan Li	...	TV Host
Yichang Zhang	...	Mr Zhang, instructor
Zhanqing Xu	...	Brick factory owner
Hanzhi Liu	...	Zhang Huike's mother
Ma Guolin	...	Bus station man
Wu Wanlu	...	TV station manager
Liu Ru	...	Train station announcer
Wang Shulan	...	Stationery store clerk
Fu Xinmin	...	TV station director
Mei Bai	...	Manager, Juxin Restaurant
Mingshan Zhang	...	Student
Jiao Jie	...	Student
Rong Huimin	...	Student
Sun Zhiwei	...	Student
Ming Xinhong	...	Student
Tian Xuewei	...	Student
Li Mel	...	Student
Lingyu Li	...	Student

Directed by
Yimou Zhang

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Xiangsheng Shi		writer

Produced by
Weiping Zhang	....	executive producer
Yu Zhao	....	producer

Original Music by
Bao San

Cinematography by
Yong Hou

Film Editing by
Ru Zhai

Production Design by
Juiping Cao

Costume Design by
Huamiao Tong

Production Management
Xiaofeng Hu	....	production manager
Zhenyan Zhang	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dong Xie	....	assistant director
Te Ya	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Lala Wu	....	sound

Editorial Department
Stew Markel	....	telecine assistant

Production Companies

• Bejing New Picture Distribution Company
• Columbia Pictures Corporation
• Film Productions Asia
• Guangxi Film Studio

Distributors

• Columbia TriStar Film (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (2000) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (France)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Sony Pictures Classics (2000) (USA) (subtitled)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment

Other Companies

• Asia Aiyue Orchestra  music performed by

Also Known As:

Not One Less

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:S | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | Singapore:G | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | New Zealand:M | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:G

Company:

Bejing New Picture Distribution Company

Trivia:

As in the Italian neo-realism movies, director Yimou Zhang used only non-professional actors.

Movie Connections:

References Qiu Ju da guan si (1992)

A definite MUST-SEE or NOT-TO-SEE, depending on...

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!