For viewers who are already familiar with the Cultural Revolution, <<King of the Children>> is a subtle commentary on that era. Chen Kaige uses humour and philosophy to address the issues of the Cultural Revolution, and he creates a space for the adults who suffered during that period and the children who followed them.
Part of what makes this movie a masterpiece is the cinematography. Chen Kaige focuses on the vast landscapes of western China. The imagery reflects on personal and political aspects of Taoism through which the director has processed China's modern history.
For viewers who are not familiar with history, the movie will still have a profound effect. The themes are universal: how do we transmit our knowledge and/or our wisdom to the generation which follows us? How do we balance political problems with personal growth?
Another part of this movie's success is its humour. Chen Kaige portrays irony in the politicking of the state and the lives of the characters. Fans of <<The Dead Poets' Society>> will appreciate the hero's tactics teaching a class of children without books or paper, while the school administrators store stacks of books and papers in their offices.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to better understand the Fifth Generation directors and the challenges of Chinese cinema shortly following the Cultural Revolution.
