THE WORLD
China, 2004, 133 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Jia Zhang- Ke.
The World is the third major film by Jia Zhang- Ke. He achieved international fame with presence at Venice and Cannes with Platform and Unknown Pleasures. These films were banned in his native China. Eventually he was allowed to make films freely under the new regime and The World is his first film in this regard.
From the provinces, born in 1970, he represents the younger generation in China, the generation who has moved from the countryside into the city. They also want to travel – but, with the theme park in Beijing, they have the opportunity to see all the wonders of the world in the one theme park. The consequence of this is, of course, American commercialisation and tourism – especially with the kind of Radio City Music Hall shows that are put on.
The director wants to show the change of life in the big city, especially the transition from the strict communist regime. He also wants to show the attitude of the Chinese to the rest of the world and he does this by contrasting what he calls the fake landscape with the real problems, the accelerated urbanisation.
In modern Beijing, there is no day or night difference, the city has become a large construction site, where the surreal becomes real. The film focuses also on communication, especially the use of mobile phones and text messaging – a way in which, especially younger Chinese, are able to communicate themselves.
One of the devices that the director uses is to insert animated sequences, with bright video game-like animation to illustrate the interior life of his central character.
1.The reputation of the director? His films about history in China in the 20th century? In the disaffected youth of China at the turn of the century? This film showing contemporary Beijing and the transformation of China into the 21st century, its place in the world, the transition from severe communism to a more open communism? The fact that the director’s films were banned in China?
2.The Beijing settings, moving in and around the city, audiences getting an impression of contemporary Beijing, the old and, especially, the modern? The musical score? The songs – and the use of traditional music as well as the influence of the rest, especially for commercial and tourist interests?
3.The title of the film, the theme park as a microcosm of the world? Audience fascination in seeing so many world-famous locations in the one theme park, their scale modelling? The fact that the Chinese could visit the whole world simply in Beijing?
4.The structure of the film, the various locations of the theme park and the headings for the various stories?
5.The colourful performances at the theme park, especially the musical numbers – and the different nationalities? The long opening with the dancers preparing for their performances? The various performances? The dancers going then to the national monuments?
6.The visitors to this theme park, their opening to the world, their enjoyment of tourism? The commercial aspects?
7.The theme part as a microcosm for Beijing at the beginning of the 21st century?
8.The group of performers, the film showing their lives, the intersections of their lives? The relationships, especially to the security guards, to the workers on buildings around Beijing? The fact that many of these people came from the countryside, found their home towns offering them nothing, going back to visit and finding so many people moving to the cities?
9.The central focus on Tao, her performance, her relationship with Tai Sheng? Their coming from the countryside? Provincial backgrounds, their being together, Tao and her becoming more independent, Tai Sheng and his putting pressure on her? The strain? Tao and her cheerfulness, her support of the other girls? Tai Sheng and his meeting with Qun, the fashion designer, the factory, the imitation of the western labels? Her also coming from the provinces? The emotional impact of this triangle relationship? Its resolution?
10.The other dancers, the dancer with the demanding boyfriend, the mobile phone, his continually asking where she was? Her being patient, the build-up to his obsessions, the confrontation between the two? The other dancers, relationships, ambitions?
11.The manual workers, coming from the provinces? Erxiao, relationships, expected to have been a girl from his family, called Little Sister?
12.The effect of life in the city, the security guard and his stealing the money, his being sacked? Difficulties on the building sites, deaths?
13.A very long film, a very focused story and the film being elongated, especially in immersing the audience in the theme park? The focus on characters, love, betrayal, marriage, break-up, loyalty? The blend of comic and tragic?
