the black China hand

I’ve been trying to get this movie for a minute but because it has been banned, it has taken until now to find it. (Blessed in the black market in China, where almost anything can be found). The story revolves around the interplay between four people: Liu Pingguo (a masseuse), her husband, Ah Kun (a window washer), her boss, Lin Dong and her boss’ wife. What brings them together and ultimately apart is an unplanned sexual encounter between Pingguo and Lin Dong that is witnessed by Ah Kun. While some parts of the story are a bit over-the-top, I think it was still able to portray a gritty slice of contemporary life in Beijing that I have observed on many an occasion. A side that is not often put on film (it’s a little like an updated and broadened version of Beijing Bastards). If Gotham were in China, it would be Beijing. A few examples: how having money can open almost every door, the interesting things people will do to get that money, the almost absolute desire to have a child, the idleness of youth that didn’t make it into college or are not rich, the gap between have and have nots and the continued low status of women (especially rural women). I think these portraits, more so then the sex scenes, are probably why the censors banned it. Still it’s worth a look … if you get a chance.

Pingguo