THE STORY OF QUI JU

China, 1991, 100 minutes, Colour.
Gong Li.
Directed by Zhang Yimou.

The story of Qui Ju is a fine film by the acclaimed director Zhang Yimou. It was one of several collaborations with the versatile actress, Gong Li. They worked together in Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern and after Qui Ju went on to make To Live and Shanghai Triad.

The film is set in contemporary times in northern China. It portrays village life vividly, its hardships, the closed community, support, the difficulties for a hard childbirth, festivities. It also contrasts country village life with that of the towns as well as of the large cities.

The film focuses on justice. Qui Ju's husband has been kicked in the groin by the chief of the village and Qui Ju wants an apology. The chief, to save face, will not apologise. He is prepared to pay money but Qui Ju rejects this. After her appeal to the chief she goes to the local district. She doesn't find satisfaction there and goes then to the public service board in the city. This requires several visits (giving a vivid picture of Chinese young women going into the cities and contrasting with the worldly-wise city people). After being turned down by the public service board, she is allowed to appeal to the courts where, again, she loses. However, she finally wins, but the penalty for the chief is more than she wanted or expected. The film finishes with a freeze frame portrait of the bewildered Qui Ju.

1. The work of Zhang Yimou and his collaborations with Gong Li? The quality of his work? Chinese? Universal?

2 His portraits of China? His interpretation of Chinese society and history? Lifestyle of the city compared with the country? The quality of the photography? The musical score?

3. The title and its focus on Qui Ju? Gong Li's screen presence and performance? Audiences identifying with her? With her quest for justice? With her bewilderment at the end?

4. The basic situation: the chief and his power in the village, administration, the villagers kowtowing to him, his keeping face, his relationship with higher authority? His anger at Qui Ju's husband's taunts about his having only daughters? His anger and his kicking the husband in the groin? His being prepared to pay compensation ... His status in the village, his encounters with Qui Ju and her husband, the discussions, offering the money and Qui Ju throwing it back at him? His interest in the results of the appeals? The clerk giving him the results from the city and his later apologising? His helping Qui Ju at the time of her giving birth - her gratitude towards him, his coming to the celebration? His finally accepting the decision and his being detained for 15 days?

5. Qui Ju's husband, the injury, his not being passionate about the case as his wife? Supporting her? His willingness to take the money? Wanting to dissuade her - especially as she visited the city so many times, the chilli crop and their not having enough money? The joy of the birth of the child? The x-ray and its being used as testimony for him, the cracked rib?

6. Qui Ju's sister-in-law, simple, supportive of Qui Ju, accompanying her on the various trips? Support? Their being taken in by the taxi driver in the city? The buying of the gifts, her running after the taxi and almost becoming lost and Qui Ju's anxiety? Changing clothes? Helping with the birth?

7. The officials, their attitudes towards Qui Ju, examining the case, the letter of the law, siding with the chief? The administrator in the city, his support, driving them in the car, giving them advice? His coming to the village? His standing in the dock? The resolution of the case and his contribution?

8. The characters in the village, their friendship, support? Criticising Qui Ju? Granny at the party? Those assisting in the birth?

9. The people in the city, the venal taxi driver, the man at the hotel advising them how to save money, the proprietor of the lodgings, the writer of the letters and his help, the old man and his advice, the lawyer and his discussions with Qui Ju, explaining how the law worked for her?

10. The portrait of Qui Ju herself, a strong woman, village peasant, her love for her husband, the family and child policy of China, her pregnancy, her concern, her determination even though it could endanger the baby? Her appearance, clothes, pregnant? Her encounters with the chief, arguments, rejecting the money? Her stand for justice? Her going to the village, the travel, the appeal, the explanations? Her not getting justice? The decision to go to the city, going with her sister-in-law, their travels, the experiences in the city, bewilderment, believing people, money? The taxi, her sister-in-law becoming lost and her desperation? Buying the painting? Gifts? The lodgings, the old man and his advice? The administrator and her gratitude towards him? The lawyer and his assistance, her not wanting to sue the administrator, the explanations given her? The loss in the court? The appeal? The experience of giving birth, her child? The final vindication - and the final freeze-frame of her bewilderment at the chief's detention?

11. Insight into Chinese experiences, social structures, character? A universal story?