SUNSET STREET
China, 1983, 109 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Wang Ha Wei.
Sunset Street is a contemporary Chinese romantic drama. It is set in the city of Beijing (used in such films as Rickshaw Boy, Memories of Old Beijing). The material of the film is soap opera - the popular material of western television series. We are show an old street and its inhabitants, we see their way of life, their interactions, their problems. The old street is to be pulled down and all are to be transferred to a high-rise building. This happens.
It is interesting to note China using the straightforward methods of soap opera for its '80s film industry. They are also optimistic in the move towards the high apartment blocks. Great faith is expressed in the People's Republic. The film is accessible to western audiences who may find it rather romantic and simplistic. As soap opera, it is a pleasing
film and has an attractive visual style.
1. Indications of Chinese film-making in the '80s? For the home audience? Export?
2. Straightforward style, the locations of Beijing, colour photography? The feel for the old street, the city, the new apartment blocks? An attractive and romantic score?
3. The material of soap opera and romance? Comparisons with soap opera and televisions styles from western countries? Japan?
4. The straightforward presentation of characters and themes? Too simplistic? Evoking emotional response. patriotic? The upright nature of most of the characters? An attempt at edifying soap opera?
5. The presentation of old and new Beijing? The quaintness and attractiveness of the past, the enterprise of the future? optimism about the new office blocks, apartments, restaurants? The ability to make the transition? The Chinese spirit and faith in the Republic's administration?
6. The social perspective of the Chinese - the street, friendships. mutual help? The individuals seen within this context? Comparisons with western styles? The universalising of the world - the looks of the cities. trends. Clothing, recreations?
7. The universal soap opera themes? the old people, the old man and his flowers, transferring to the restaurant and preparing bean curd, the collaboration of friends? - the young man with the pigeons, the larrikin touch, rowdy, drinking, girlfriends, friends in the block, helping in difficulties? His parents? - the girl and Stony and their love, a nice girl, her obnoxious father. the plans for marrying her to the rich man from Hong Kong and leaving China. the attractiveness of Hong Kong and capitalist countries? Stony and his work on the radio, relationship with his mother. the shirts and the shop? Working at the restaurant? His ill father? The antagonism between the boy and the girl - hostility, resolution? - the teachers, the sense of family, the visits, the teaching of the adults to read. the cerebral haemorrhage, the ambulance and the hospital, moving? - the nurse and her illness, icy, afraid, in love with her suitor, the holiday, the gifts and the broken mirror, her finally accepting the man's attention? His constancy, fidelity, pursuit of the nurse? - the Hong Kong confidence tricksters and their style, the fights, the interrogation by the police?
8. How much insight into China of the '80s? Society, individuals, universal humanity?
