The Road(Fang Xiang Zhi Lu) (2005)
Language: Korean
Duration: 92 minutes

The Road(Fang Xiang Zhi Lu) is a Chinese Film directed by Zhang jiarui and like Many great Films it explores human emotions in the midst of a shaping political turmoil. Is this Film great? Nope but it aspires and tries hard. The Road is about the relationship between an old, widowed and celebrated Bus driver Cui(Chairman Mao Has shaken hands with him once and apparently commented that Cui is the most hard working man in the State) and his ticket girl named Chunfen played By zhang jingchu. It was lovely to see passengers thronging to shake hands with the old man who is very much in love with his young assistant and is also aware of their age difference. Dr. Liu makes the third angle in this triangle love story and he meets Chunfen on the bus. They like each other and I loved the way Zhang wrote and directed how these two characters submit themselves to love. It was raw emotion when Chunfen is waving madly at Liu as the bus draws away from him. It is interesting and very disturbing to see that the State was more or less determining, when its people should marry according to its convenience and plans. It is also fascinating how Chairman Mao’s agenda was systematically drilled into the minds of the Chinese public. Often, we do not understand how lucky we Indians are to be living in a completely democratic India. The Road is an ambitious film that spans around five decades and the Film manages to seamlessly reflect the changes in the Chinese political times in the lives of its leads. It never appears forced which is a victory for the filmmakers.

The Road also has some beautiful tender moments between Chunfen (Zhang Jingchu) and doctor Liu like the one where the two are secretly kissing, the wall that Liu is taking support of collapses and the two fall all over the cement and bricks and into the perfect view of the rest of the people whom they are trying to hide from, not to mention the scene between Chungfen and master Cui where their discomfort on the first night is beautifully enacted by these two obviously Brilliant actors. I enjoyed the Film for its performances, for its historical take and for some lovely cinematography. An almost a pleasant experience.

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