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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content

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).

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in 500 Days of Summer (2009)

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Soundtracks

Water of Desire
Lyric by Johnny Chen
Performed by Chyi

User Reviews

A remarkable first feature from Joan Chen

Xiu Xiu is a beautifully made movie in which Joan Chen combines sumptuous visual imagery, a beautiful, delicate musical score, fine performances by her actors and a spare and intelligent script to produce a simple, moving story of two lost lives.

The movement of the story from the dark confines of the tent Xiu Xiu and Lao Jin share to the almost limitless prairies and big skys of the Tibetan highlands follows the emotional pulse of the film. Expert camera work creates perspectives that sweep from the touchingly intimate to the overwhelmingly vast, exploring the characters from inside and out.

Wonderful, economical performances from newcomer Lu Lu and Tibetan stage veteran Lopsang give profound and touching insight into the extraordinariness of two ordinary people. Chen saves the story from descent into melodrama by a precise and thoughtful restraint that respects, observes, and never intrudes to seek to "explain" or apologize.

A film worth going out of one's way to see.

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

Gross USA:

$1,010,933

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,018,545

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