Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998)

Young teen girl Xiu Xiu is sent away to a remote corner of the Sichuan steppes for manual labor in 1975 (sending young people to there was a part of Cultural Revolution in China). A year ... See full summary »

Director:

Joan Chen

Writers:

Joan Chen, Geling Yan (novel)

Stars:

Xiaolu Li, Lopsang, Zheng Qian

12 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Xiaolu Li	...	Wenxiu (Xiu Xiu) (as Lu Lu)
Lopsang	...	Lao Jin
Zheng Qian	...	Li Chuanbei
Jie Gao	...	Mother
Qianqian Li	...	Sister
Yue Lü	...	Father
Qian Qiao	...	Chen Li
Cheng Jiang	...	Rider A
Xiaoyu Yang	...	Girl
Xuejun Gu	...	Rider B
Huzi	...	Hooligan
Zhizheng Li	...	Headquarter's Chief
Kun Zhang	...	Assistant
Shijin Li	...	Jeep Driver
Dong Jia	...	Yak Herder A

Storyline

Young teen girl Xiu Xiu is sent away to a remote corner of the Sichuan steppes for manual labor in 1975 (sending young people to there was a part of Cultural Revolution in China). A year later, she agrees to go to even more remote spot with a Tibetan saddle tramp Lao Jin to learn horse herding.

---

Plot Keywords:

triple f rated | china | revolution | nipple | f rated | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Stratosphere Entertainment

Country:

Hong Kong USA Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

16 November 2000 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,880, 9 May 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Good Machine, Whispering Steppes L.P.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the U.S. distributor claimed the film was banned in China for sexual and political content, the script was actually approved by the Chinese government. The film was only banned after the filmmakers decided not to wait for permits before shooting in Tibet (such permits are required for a film to receive official approval).

---

Goofs

From 89:34 to 92:18, Xiu Xiu's right side hair is braided; from 92:30 on, her left side hair is braided instead.

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me/The Red Violin/Just a Little Harmless Sex/An Ideal Husband/Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1999)

---

Soundtracks

Water of Desire
Lyric by Johnny Chen
Performed by Chyi

User Reviews

Sad, affecting, and haunting

What affected me and haunts me most about Xiu Xiu is the character of Lao Jin and his tender, sexless love and caring for Xiu Xiu. He does his best to make her life easier in a place that she hates, and his pain and frustration mount as he sees how she is destroying herself. His deep, sincere, and inarticulate caring for her touched me profoundly. I wished that a romantic love could develop between them (and I am not generally into movie romances -- very few of them really work for me) but that was out of the question from the beginning, since Lao Jin was castrated. That very fact gave their relationship a sense of tragedy from the beginning.

I would love to see more of this Tibetan actor, Lobsang. Imdb info shows this movie as his only film credit.

The locale was spectacular and gorgeously photographed. Only intellectually could I understand Xiu Xiu's dislike of such a gorgeous place (as well as her lack of appreciation for Lao Jin's caring for her). But both characters were very believable and involving, and this sad movie will stay with me for a long time.