The Bird People in China (1998)

An Interesting Message on Society

The story takes place in China and it's about two people on a trip to assess gems who find themselves in a very remote place of China that is very cut off from modern civilization. People there live a very agrarian and secluded life and our two protagonists find themselves entranced by the serenity and beauty of the seclusion. Rather than about gems, the story is more about this village that the two protagonists stumble into when they got lost midway during their trip.

The characters and story are very interesting: the two characters lead different lives (one's a typical white-collar and the other's a mafia member). While both of them are attached to the peacefulness of being so far away from civilization, the degree of attachment is different between them. The white-collar appreciates the peace but he finds himself missing the company and the busyness of society. On the other hand, the mafia who has faced violence and blood his entire life would rather stay here secluded forever from society than go back to the gruesome life he used to live.

The film is refreshing, aesthetic, and at times humorous; however, near the end, the brightness and hopefulness become a bit pitiful and dark because of the mafia's desperation to stay and protect the place.

The ending to me was a bit confusing. I had to actually think over it a little bit before I understood why what happened happened. But overall, it was a really stunning film, both in terms of the scenery and the story delivered.

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