This review may contain spoilers
Humility leads to progress, comrades. It's written on the textile factory, so it must be true.
This is a series to watch at your own pace, two episodes here, two episodes there. In between other things. Because the story doesn't really move forward much. It’s the kind of show you watch for comfort. That said, I was worried at first that we'd be presented with a revisionist take on the Cultural Revolution. But the two protagonists are actually victims of it. It isn't stated outright but framed as their courageous efforts to overcome it… And we know they will. No mystery there. A little trick to get around censorship, I suppose.
We're also led to believe that domestic violence is no longer tolerated in the new, truly socialist China. Well, I'll steer clear of that topic because it would imply that the rest of the world is subject to the same constraints. There's no reason for Chinese productions to be criticized more than others. Propaganda is produced just as much elsewhere. And C-dramas, in fact, ingeniously manage to play with the boundaries. Still, seeing Mao's portrait everywhere feels weird. Excuse me, Great Helmsman, I am an enemy of the Revolution, a rusty nail in the gears of true Socialism.
Arthur Chen played a vengeful deity in When Destiny Brings the Demon, and here he completely changes his acting style, attitude and character. A stunning transformation. He becomes a gentle, dreamy man, always ready to help.
As for Sun Qian, she plays a young woman who wants to fulfil herself through her studies, to graduate even though she is denied this opportunity, and who wishes to retain her independence. All the female characters display authority and free will... as long as one remains within the framework of marriage ; a man, a woman, everything in its place. True socialism seems awfully straight.
In this sense, there is a scene surprisingly charged with sensuality in which our dear artist traces the outline of his working-class partner in chalk on a large blackboard in front of the factory. It's highly symbolic. The two of them complement each other perfectly. A cute couple, in the full vigour of youth, unstoppable. It’s a pleasure to follow them, two angels who've found each other so perfectly. However, there was surely not enough material to fill 29 episodes. A common trait of too many Chinese productions : it drags on. (Just like my dumb reviews)
The other characters aren't all that interesting. The mathematician, the hero's sister, you just want to tell her, "Move on ! You deserve to be happy, comrade." The series has its moments, though. The humor is heartwarming. Some tragic events occur ; (tw: suicide) one character sees no future in this society and feels like he's in prison at work. C-dramas often manage to convey unexpected messages.
Do you also blurt out things like "You belittle the working class !" when you argue with your parents ? Me, I call my cat a paper tiger. That little capitalist scoundrel.
This is a series to watch at your own pace, two episodes here, two episodes there. In between other things. Because the story doesn't really move forward much. It’s the kind of show you watch for comfort. That said, I was worried at first that we'd be presented with a revisionist take on the Cultural Revolution. But the two protagonists are actually victims of it. It isn't stated outright but framed as their courageous efforts to overcome it… And we know they will. No mystery there. A little trick to get around censorship, I suppose.
We're also led to believe that domestic violence is no longer tolerated in the new, truly socialist China. Well, I'll steer clear of that topic because it would imply that the rest of the world is subject to the same constraints. There's no reason for Chinese productions to be criticized more than others. Propaganda is produced just as much elsewhere. And C-dramas, in fact, ingeniously manage to play with the boundaries. Still, seeing Mao's portrait everywhere feels weird. Excuse me, Great Helmsman, I am an enemy of the Revolution, a rusty nail in the gears of true Socialism.
Arthur Chen played a vengeful deity in When Destiny Brings the Demon, and here he completely changes his acting style, attitude and character. A stunning transformation. He becomes a gentle, dreamy man, always ready to help.
As for Sun Qian, she plays a young woman who wants to fulfil herself through her studies, to graduate even though she is denied this opportunity, and who wishes to retain her independence. All the female characters display authority and free will... as long as one remains within the framework of marriage ; a man, a woman, everything in its place. True socialism seems awfully straight.
In this sense, there is a scene surprisingly charged with sensuality in which our dear artist traces the outline of his working-class partner in chalk on a large blackboard in front of the factory. It's highly symbolic. The two of them complement each other perfectly. A cute couple, in the full vigour of youth, unstoppable. It’s a pleasure to follow them, two angels who've found each other so perfectly. However, there was surely not enough material to fill 29 episodes. A common trait of too many Chinese productions : it drags on. (Just like my dumb reviews)
The other characters aren't all that interesting. The mathematician, the hero's sister, you just want to tell her, "Move on ! You deserve to be happy, comrade." The series has its moments, though. The humor is heartwarming. Some tragic events occur ; (tw: suicide) one character sees no future in this society and feels like he's in prison at work. C-dramas often manage to convey unexpected messages.
Do you also blurt out things like "You belittle the working class !" when you argue with your parents ? Me, I call my cat a paper tiger. That little capitalist scoundrel.
Was this review helpful to you?
