s-34708 The film is too suppressed to many users, I know. It has the record of 'the most winners in a single Golden Horse Film Award', the most important film award of Chinese movies, partly because of some political factors.

B Davis I saw this movie several years ago.and have been searching for a copy of it since I finally have more time. really it's a sad story but the overall story is excellent.I really enjoyed this film more than I can mention just the emotions of serenity and sadness just portrayed are awesome. and coming to find that it was directed by one of my favorite actresses/directors now. its pretty interesting in itself. well I hope you all enjoy this movie as much as I have. it's a very wonderfully sad movie that makes you wonder.that's about all I have to say I guess since I have to add a bit more

D. C. This was a film that undoubtedly leaves you with images for (what has been for me) years. I saw this film a year after it came out in 1999 and I still can't get it out of my head. It will definitely make you want to do your research on Communist China and exploitation of any and all sorts. A bona fide "eye-opener" on social issues of all sorts, promise.The cinematography in this film is unparalleled: poignant, stoic, ever-so aesthetically pleasing. The cast is as good as it gets from an American-reading-subtitles perspective; they convey the point of the story without fail on every point. The story, of course, is unforgettably tragic. Forget about happy endings with this one people, but see it all the same. Bring some Kleenex and take some Dramamine if you're physically reactive to strong emotion.

pegasus8228 this is a very powerful movie, well made, beautiful shots, very pretty and lovable actress.BUT (i agree with the other reviewer), you want to trash the disc right away after you are done. by error i watched this movie with Dancer in the Dark back to back, torturing myself to the abyss of hell! i hate this movie, but i still rate it highly. it has achieve its job of making me hate it so much. it is a powerful movie, so powerful that one wish one had a time machine to go back change all that, or at least go back to change Joan Chen's script. if i were the Chinese censorship official , i would also be inclined to ban it (sort of NC-17), or at least requires the distributor to put a cigarette box warning note on VCD/DVD box.all said, i mean this as a compliment for a well made movie.some other notes: 1. china was bad in that era, but a story like that is extremely rare. 2. the sex scene is overdone. the same effect could be achieved without that cart-pushing scene