This film exposes the difficulties of a few characters in various Chinese provinces - people of average circumstances just trying to get by. Their stories are based on true events.
This film is suitably shocking in many ways in exposing not only the difficulties of the characters in focus but also the extreme reactions some of them have in dealing with their circumstances. The most creepy aspect is the absence of any authorities or help given to those who need it. This was intended by director Jia Zhang-Ke to expose modern life in China.
While there are powerful scenes in this movie, it seemed confusing at times and not fully coherent and a bit long at over two hours. But credit can be given to the boldness of exposing so much in a totalitarian regime. - dbamateurcritic
