SPRINGTIME IN A SMALL TOWN

China, 2002, 116 minutes, Colour.
Hu Jingfan, Wu Jun, Xin Baiquing, Ye Xiao Keng, Lu Sisi.
Directed by Tian Zhuang Zhuang.

Springtime in a Small Town is set in a Chinese village in the aftermath of World War Two. It has experienced much bombing, is now in ruins. In one of the old houses a husband who imagines he has TB lives with his wife and his wife’s younger sister. The sister is uncertain about what is to happen with her life. There is also an old manservant.

As life goes on in a quiet and leisurely way, a doctor comes from the city to see his friend. There are various discoveries – especially as the visiting doctor finds that the man’s wife is his own childhood sweetheart.

This is a reticent kind of film – suggestions of tension, understatement, various dramatic resolutions.

1. The original film made in the 1940s, considered a classic, then obscured, rediscovered? This film as both remake and tribute to the original?

2. The beauty of the photography, the small town, the interiors of the house and garden, the streets, the countryside? An authentic atmosphere? The re-creation of 1948? The musical score?

3. The polish, elegance and refinement of the film? The delineation of characters, their interactions, relationships? A surface politeness, a depth of feeling, especially with love and betrayal? Attempted suicide?

4. The title, the focus on the town itself and the characters, the Spring season, the garden, the hopes of Summer?

5. The structure of the film: the couple and their servant, the young sister, the friend coming back after ten years' absence? The experience of the war, the Japanese bombings, the town and the house in ruins? The possibilities of rebuilding? The memories of the pre-war period, the youthfulness of the protagonists, the love between Zhichen and Yuwen? The period of arranged marriages and the repercussions for relationships?

6. The portrait of Liyan, his psychosomatic illness, after the war, responsible for the house, the eldest son? The eight years of marriage to Yuwen? His illness, no children? His languorous behaviour, his moodiness? His treatment of Huang? His welcoming Zhichen, the old friendships, studying together? Urging him to stay? The repercussions for himself, brightening with the friendship? The celebration of his sister's sixteenth birthday? The plans for arranging a marriage between herself and Zhichen? The tensions with his wife, the failure of the marriage? The birthday party night and his feeling alienated, the games, the drinking? His going into the garden weeping? The declaration of faith by Yuwen, Zhichen's apology? His decision to kill himself, taking the pills, the decorous death? Their reviving him? His reviving to a new life, to Yuwen's love, Zhichen's friendship? His going into the garden to prune the trees - and a hope for the future?

7. The portrait of Yuwen, seeing her coming from the shopping, alone? The alienation from her husband? Her embroidering? With Huang? The visit of Zhichen, the revelation that they knew each other, were in love, the arranged marriage, his going to be a doctor? Her response to his return, the passion, wanting to leave? The possibility of Liyan's death? Discussions with him about the arranged marriage? The discussions out in the country with Zhichen? The birthday party, the drinking, the challenge? Her going to his room, the almost-relationship? Her hurting her hand on the glass? Grief at her husband's attempted suicide? The reconciliation and hope?

8. Zhichen, the visitor, his medical studies, a doctor, helping Liyan? The attraction towards Yuwen and discovering that she was married? The reminiscences about the past? The night, the tea, the discussions? The planned marriage and his resistance? His drinking at the celebration? His singing, the advance on Yuwen, carrying her, locking her in the room? His apology to Liyan, his wanting to leave? The attempted suicide, his reviving him? His departure to a different future?

9. The young sister, her exuberance, at school, coming home, the pleasure of the visitor, the memories? Her relationship with her sister-in-law, her brother? The birthday celebration, the drinking and the games? Her suspicions? Sadness at her brother's attempted suicide? Her going to the station to farewell Zhichen?

10. The servant, faithful, busy about the minute details, participation in the games, discovering Liyan unconscious?

11. The action with five characters only, generally within the confines of the house, out in the mountains, the exuberance of the picnic and the singing of the 'Blue Danube' song on the river?

12. A film of elegance that explores human passions with dignity?