Review of Up the Yangtze (2007) by Andreas C — 23 Sep 2008
This is an amazing movie! The filmmakers got access to a very poor family who live along a river. They manage to eat fairly well, and the kids attain education at least through middle school, but it is not an easy living situation. They live on mud and dirt.
This movie deals with the young woman of 15 in the family, who goes to work on a cruise ship filled with Americans. And also, it deals with the dislocation of the family's home because of the oncoming rise of the river due to the government building of a massive dam. On so many levels, this movie is rewarding. It's interesting to see the young girl adapt to a relative life of luxury on the boat, and even how her posture and how she carries herself changes over the course of time. It's great to see strength of the family unit in poverty, and the effectiveness of the parents in keeping the unit together and somewhat happy.
It's a movie of hope, hope that life can be good despite poverty. But also, it shows the contrasts between the Chinese and the American tourists. The Americans don't come across too great, but it's not their fault, they just come from a different culture. Highly recommended!
This review of Up the Yangtze (2007) was written by Andreas C on 23 Sep 2008.
Up the Yangtze has generally received very positive reviews.
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