This movie is shot so gracefully, it's like Jia Zhangke has lived there his whole life and can recognize Fengije in all it's beauty. I always think it's nice when directors shoot in their home country; personally, I can already begin to think of how different areas of my past towns would be used in different scenes and what I would use as a backdrop. If I was to ever make a film, I'd definitely be more comfortable, open-minded, focused and intrigued to make it in an area or landscape I'm familiar with; it definitely seems like Zhangke was. But I especially have started to come to appreciate Asian countries. All the grasslands and the marshes and the poverty-stricken rural areas are so unique and fun to look at. One of the main things I think is so amazing is how easy it is to travel around the world. I don't think I've seen many Asian films but I'm beginning to appreciate the continent for how it is and I'm glad that films can be a gateway into different lives and the people who live them.
Also wanted to mention that I really liked the factory scene (31:32 - 32:20). And the scene where the car is driving along the highway at night (56:41 - 57:10), the blurring in and out reminds me of how I used to gradually fall asleep in the car late at night as a kid; didn't think that feeling could be replicated that simply.
p.s. I was eating dry noodles while watching to really set the mood
p.p.s I'm gonna ignore the flying ships
This movie is shot so gracefully, it's like Jia Zhangke has lived there his whole life and can recognize Fengije in all it's beauty. I always think it's nice when directors shoot in their home country; personally, I can already begin to think of how different areas of my past towns would be used in different scenes and what I would use as a backdrop. If I was to ever make a film, I'd definitely be more comfortable, open-minded, focused and intrigued to make it in an area or landscape I'm familiar with; it definitely seems like Zhangke was. But I especially have started to come to appreciate Asian countries. All the grasslands and the marshes and the poverty-stricken rural areas are so unique and fun to look at. One of the main things I think is so amazing is how easy it is to travel around the world. I don't think I've seen many Asian films but I'm beginning to appreciate the continent for how it is and I'm glad that films can be a gateway into different lives and the people who live them.
Also wanted to mention that I really liked the factory scene (31:32 - 32:20). And the scene where the car is driving along the highway at night (56:41 - 57:10), the blurring in and out reminds me of how I used to gradually fall asleep in the car late at night as a kid; didn't think that feeling could be replicated that simply.
p.s. I was eating dry noodles while watching to really set the mood
p.p.s I'm gonna ignore the flying ships
