The are striking similarities between communism and Confucianism in that both emphasize on living for others instead of oneself. In communism, you are supposed to dedicated yourself for the state, while in Confucianism, you are supposed to do the same for your parents and offspring.
The first of the two has been already successfully challenged in China thanks to the reform, but the second is still deeply rooted in the minds of most Chinese. This movie is a masterpiece of cultural introspection in that it raise the question of why cannot people simply enjoy themselves instead of devote every moment of their lives for others such as their kids and grandkids? People should have moments of their own.
The first of the two has been already successfully challenged in China thanks to the reform, but the second is still deeply rooted in the minds of most Chinese. This movie is a masterpiece of cultural introspection in that it raise the question of why cannot people simply enjoy themselves instead of devote every moment of their lives for others such as their kids and grandkids? People should have moments of their own.