SHOWER (Xi Zao)
Director: ZHANG Yang
China, 1999
OCIC Award, San Sebastian Film Festival 1999
SHORT REVIEW
In China and Japan, it is very popular for people to go to bathhouse to enjoy a hot bath. In fact, bathhouse acts as a socializing space for families and friends, for relaxation, gossips and chitchat. ZHANG Yang’s Shower raised the curtain by introducing a bathhouse in a small community in Beijing, run by father and sons. This extraordinary bathhouse ties the family up, washes down conflicts and gaps between two generations. Through the joys and arguments of the protagonists, the film shows the true meaning of family as well as the challenges and impacts on traditions that are brought by rapid societal developments.
LONG REVIEW
A Bathhouse is commonly found in China and Japan as not every household has a bathtub. Thus, it is very popular for people to go to bathhouses to enjoy a hot bath. In fact, bathhouse acts as a socializing space for families and friends, for relaxation, gossips and chitchat.
ZHANG Yang's Shower raised the curtain by introducing a bathhouse in a small community, run by father and sons. This extraordinary bathhouse ties the family up, washes down conflicts and gaps between two generations. Through the joys and arguments of the protagonists, the film presents the true meaning of family as well as the challenges and impacts on traditions that are brought by rapid societal developments.
Master Liu almost devotes his whole life to the family’s bathhouse in the suburbs of Beijing. His eldest son (Da Ming) refused to inherit it, left his hometown for years and works in the city for greater prosperity. One day, Da Ming comes back as he misunderstood that his father has died. Knowing that it is a prank made by his retarded brother, Da Ming is relieved and stays at home. Master Liu is very happy for the reunion, but expresses his joyful feelings implicitly. A few days later, Master Liu collapses and Da Ming decides to work temporarily in the bathhouse. It is the turning point for Da Ming's life: he gradually gets to understand more about his father, about the bathhouse, about his home…
The film shows stories of different characters and Master Liu is the key person to link them up. He intrudes into their lives (and vice versa) and affects each of the others. In fact, the bathhouse is a small community full of human interests and collective memories. Da Ming returns home, re-examines his faults, shamed as he is, he discovers the virtue of forgiveness from his father towards family members or even strangers. Ultimately, he accepts the mental defect of his brother.
The water of the bathhouse is very symbolic: it cleans not only the dirt, but also cleans up people’s hearts. It allows people to reborn and to find love. The film also shows various challenges on traditions that are brought about by rapid developments of society, especially about the destruction of small houses built in alleys and courtyards. The sense of belonging and personal intimacy within neighbourhoods no longer exists. Meanwhile, the small community is now substituted by high storey residential buildings and people are alienated from each other.
CRITERIA FOR WRITING REVIEWS
When writing a film review, I consider the following:
1. The regions where the review will be published and try to relate the film to the local audiences; look for links between the storyline and global world or my own country
2. Any insights on social values and pinpoint them to readers
3. Any insights on social teaching from the Church
4. Sometimes may include director’s former productions, or compare films with similar
topics
Biography
Catherine WONG is a film reviewer in Hong Kong. Currently, she works as a producer and scriptwriter for religious television programs, and Treasurer of SIGNIS Asia. She received her Master degree in Communications and Journalism from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has served on juries at various international film festival including Cannes, Hong Kong, Montreal and Setubal, Portugal. Her publications include Picket Fences and Madness of Advertising.
