Review of The World (2004) by Dave J — 09 Apr 2014

Tuesday, April 8, 2014.

(2004) The World.

(In Mandarin with English subtitles).

DRAMA/ SOCIAL COMMENTARY.

Written and directed by Zhangke Jia which is called "The World" because of it's a reference to one of China's or Beijing's most visited parks, full of popular monument replicas of famous statuettes of other cities such as "The Great Pyramids", "The Tower Of Pisa" and "New York City's The Twin Towers". But along with those monuments are the people who work there which is where the story focuses on, are the relationships regarding a small group of people who work at the park. Had to watch the first hour of this movie again to absorb it's situations as well as it's customs, since I don't live there. Which almost seemed like a social commentary film about the people of China who are not granted exited visas to travel anywhere. The closest thing they ever come in seeing "The World" is when they're working and managing the park, for much of them never make enough money to go abroad, nor do they ever find the time to travel, since they're working so much. Or that the closest thing much of the Chinese population can ever go to see some of the famous parks that exist throughout the world, is when they go to fake looking ones from "The World" park. For a point was made, when one of the workers had said that they're probably more Chinese people who had never been to a jet airline plane before, which can be a direct referral to the Chinese people living in villages- and not just the cities. They're times the film felt long, showcasing Chinese traditions mixed with current customs which the characters were still using their hands to clean their clothes, instead of using washing machines. And that the closest updated technology device they had ever use are their cell phones.

Strong 3 out of 4 stars.