Zuotian (2001)

An actor becomes increasingly introverted and psychotic and his entire family attempts to intervene.

Director:

Yang Zhang

Writers:

Xin Huo, Yang Zhang

Stars:

Xiuling Chai, Fengsen Jia, Hongshen Jia

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Xiuling Chai	...	Hongshen's mother
Fengsen Jia	...	Hongshen's father
Hongshen Jia	...	Hongshen
Tong Wang	...	Hongshen's sister
Shun Xing	...	Jia's roommate

Storyline

In the early 1990s, Hongshen Jia, then in his mid twenties and based in Beijing, was considered one of the most promising of the emerging actors in China, with several movie and television roles to his credit. However, self doubt in his acting abilities coupled with an emerging drug problem, especially with heroin, led to him deciding to quit acting. Instead, he spent his time solely listening to music and taking drugs. His erratic behavior led to alienation of friends and ultimately leading a solitary life. First his sister and then in addition his rural based parents, his father who took early retirement, came to live with Hongshen in Beijing to help him through his life problems, which included financially supporting him. Hongshen treated them poorly, especially his father, who in turn accepted Hongshen's abusive behavior all in the name of helping him. But they didn't trust him and followed him everywhere. Ultimately the family had figure out what to do to best help Hongshen. ...

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | actor | friend | chinese | heroin | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug content

Details

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

1 March 2002 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Quitting

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,908, 15 September 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$17,717, 13 October 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Iman Film Company, Xi'an Film Studio

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Yin she mou sha an (1988)

User Reviews

A disappointment

I went to see "Quitting" with high hopes, because the director's "Shower" had impressed me so. Despite a few lapses into mawkishness, "Shower" ranks high on my list of all-time favorite movies for its penetrating insight into family relationships and its generally superb acting and direction. And I've seen it at least three times now.

But "Quitting" fell flat, in my estimation. It seemed a pointless exercise and I was quickly so tired of the main character's insufferable personality that I was longing for the movie to end. I admit to falling asleep six or seven times, but it was only for a few seconds at a time, so I think it's still OK to write this comment.

I did admire the parents and sister. The device of using all real characters in the film is a nice one I've never seen used before.

Disappointment aside, I will still make an effort to see any film bearing Yang Zhang's name, simply on the basis of the beautiful "Shower."