11-year-old Wang lives with his family in a remote village in China. Life is tough, but they make the most of what little they have. When Wang is selected to lead his school's daily ...
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Deng is a stubborn retired widow who spends her days caring about her two grown up sons and her elderly mother, despite her family efforts to stop her. But her daily routine starts derailing when she keeps receiving anonymous calls..
In the 1980s, encouraged by the government, a large number of families leave Chinese cities to settle in the poorer regions of the country, in order to develop local industry. The film's ... See full summary »
A divorced couple learns that the way to possibly save daughter, who is suffering from blood cancer, is to have another child. Problem is: They're both already remarried.
Lin, a sea captain, returns from a 6 month journey when he is told that his 25-year-old son Lin Bo has been gunned down by the police. In his quest to understand what happened, he realizes ... See full summary »
The young adult life of Hong Yunsheng, nicknamed Little Brother, is seen as somewhat of a failure by those that know him. A Chinese national, he stowed away on a boat to the United States, ... See full summary »
Two young farm workers, who like millions of others, leave their village to seek their fortunes in the city. Each chose a vastly different path to make it and become embroiled in ... See full summary »
In a misguided effort to teach his brother independence, Zi Long introduces him to his delinquent gang. His decision throws them in to a violent world that will in different ways, imprison them both.
Factory and construction workers, farmers, commuters, miners, students. The director captures the state of his nation, by static filming one or more people in more or less motionless poses. No narrative, just portraits.
The Chief of Construction Committee leaps to his death from a tall building. Yang Jiadong, a rookie cop begins investigating it. Forced out of his job and to the safety of Hong Kong, he endeavors to discover the truth.
11-year-old Wang lives with his family in a remote village in China. Life is tough, but they make the most of what little they have. When Wang is selected to lead his school's daily gymnastics, his teacher recommends that he wear a new shirt, which forces his family to make a great sacrifice. Soon after, Wang encounters a wounded man on the run and their fates are intertwined.
The Chinese title translates literally as "Me, 11" which could be translated as "I Am 11" or "Me at 11". The French and English titles could be interpreted as "Flowering at age 11", a reference to its being a coming-of-age story. See more »
User Reviews
Impressive film about the Cultural Revolution in China and its aftermath
I saw this film as part of the Rotterdam Film Festival 2012. I never imagined that a story as experienced by an 11 year old, could be so compelling. We've read a lot about the Cultural Revolution in China, half a century ago, where "intellectuals" (in the broadest sense of the word) were treated badly, or worse. This film lasted nearly 2 hours, but this time was well spent. I saw only very few slow moments, where I felt the need to move on. But the large majority has the necessary drive and keeps our attention.
Family life, incomplete families, rationing, etcetera is shown very nearby. The harsh regime has a higher purpose in mind, and does not care much about individuals. The latter word was even not allowed to exist; at that time it was almost the worst you could say about someone to be an individualist. I gave the maximum score for the audience award when leaving the theater.
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I saw this film as part of the Rotterdam Film Festival 2012. I never imagined that a story as experienced by an 11 year old, could be so compelling. We've read a lot about the Cultural Revolution in China, half a century ago, where "intellectuals" (in the broadest sense of the word) were treated badly, or worse. This film lasted nearly 2 hours, but this time was well spent. I saw only very few slow moments, where I felt the need to move on. But the large majority has the necessary drive and keeps our attention.
Family life, incomplete families, rationing, etcetera is shown very nearby. The harsh regime has a higher purpose in mind, and does not care much about individuals. The latter word was even not allowed to exist; at that time it was almost the worst you could say about someone to be an individualist. I gave the maximum score for the audience award when leaving the theater.