RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES

China, 2005, 107 minutes, Colour.

Ken Takakura, Shinobu Terajima, Jimain Li, Jiang Wen, Lin Qui.

Directed by Zhang Yimou.

Director, Zhang Yimou, emerged in the late 1980s, a number of very striking dramas, sense of history, in the 1990s, before moving to smaller, quieter, domestic dramas. Then an unexpected transition to martial arts fantasies. He also directed the opening of the major the Olympic Games in 2008. Since then, a variety of films, some spectaculars, some quiet dramas and now this story which has its grounding in Chinese opera.

In fact, the central character is Japanese and alienated from his son but invited by his son’s wife to come to visit him before he dies. He discovers his son’s journeys to China and investigations of Chinese opera and performances. He decides then to go to China, retraces some steps, discovers that the main Opera star is in prison, persuade his guide to organise a visit to the prison for a performance of the Opera. The Opera is called Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles – which, of course, is what the father does for his son.

Which means that the film offers interesting characterisations, especially the father, his assessment of his relationship with his son, meetings with his daughter-in-law, the nature of the journey, interactions with the guide, the local authorities, the prison authorities and the singer himself.

A great deal to commend in this film, especially the work of the director himself, the perspectives of a Japanese traveller in China, the Chinese and their assessment of themselves, and the role of Chinese opera.

1. The place of this film in the work of the director? His initial historical films, his personal compassionate films, his martial arts and heroics films?
2. The Japanese setting, Japanese in China? China-Japanese history, relationships? Chinese opera and music?
3. The situation, Takata, past history, the death of his wife, his withdrawal to the fishing village, the clash with his son, not speaking for 10 years, the call from his daughter-in-law, his son’s illness, urging him to come? His hesitations, to the hospital, meeting Rie, listening to the conversation, his son denouncing him, his leaving? Rie and her giving him the cassette, the interview with the Opera singer, the son wanting to film the Opera? The singer not ready, the promise to return?
4. The importance of Chinese opera, masked Opera, singers, costumes, gestures, the band, the music style? The initial performance, the title, the story of the Lord, generosity towards humans, helping? The final performance and its impact?
5. The father, listening to the son, belonged to China, the intention of filming the Opera for his son, the arrangements, Jasmine as translator, the time limits, her moving on, the introduction to Lingo, his store and the costumes and the banners? The decision to film the Opera, the gift for his son, the discovery that the singer was in jail, the father’s determination, Jasmine and the difficulties? With Lingo, the interview with the authorities, the explanation of the story, the refusal?
6. The father, Lingo filming him, with the banners, his plea to the authorities, their watching, listening, discussing, allowing him to film?
7. Going to the prison, the interrogation by the officer, the welcome by the warden, the situation, singer in prison, ready for the performance, the mask, the singer bursting into tears, unable to go on, the story of his unseen son?
8. The father, determination to visit the village, to see the son, to bring him to his father? The symbolism of the Lord of the Opera, the father and his journey, to do good? With Lingo, the difficulties of translation, the phone calls to Jasmine? The committee in the town, the discussions, arguments about the singer and the responsibility for his son? Wanting the father to know this? The squabbles with Lingo? The agreement, bringing the son, his age, the lavish village banquet?
9. Travelling with the boy, the boy going off, the father seeking him, the getting lost, the communication despite the language, the whistle, the toilet sequence? The search, their being found?
10. The boy not wanting to see his father, not ready? The impact on the father, his making the decision, the thanks to the village, the farewell, the boy with the whistle?
11. The phone call, the death of his son? Rie and her writing down his final message, the son’s gratitude towards his father?
12. The father determining to hear the Opera, but not film it, the singer, the news of his son, moved, the father showing the father and the prisoners the photos of the boy? The singer wanting to sing, urging the father to film it?
13. The final achievement, reconciliations, fathers and sons and the symbolism of the Opera?