Flick Picks
September 2007

The Story of Qui Ju
Reviewed by Cynthia Burr Larson

This month I have departed to review a foreign film, something I have wanted to do for a while. Hopefully this will help you Netflicks users to choose good foreign films. The Story of Qui Ju is a Chinese film, subtitled in English, by the acclaimed director Zhang Yimou of Raise The Red Lantern. The film opens to a very crowded, bustling street in some city in China, with a definite third world flavor, as one might imagine it. At some point we focus on a pull-cart with a man prone in it, being accompanied by a pregnant woman and pulled by a younger woman. He gets off the cart and with the assistance of the two women, hobbles into a doctor's office resembling an illegal back street abortion clinic. The man had been kicked in the groin by the chief political leader of their village.

When they return home the pregnant woman, Qiu Ju (Gong Li, the most famous Chinese actress), goes to the Chief and asks him, "Tell me what you think we should do," regarding his assault on her husband and the possibility she will not have a son. The chief refuses to acknowledge the issue, thus providing the impetus for the film. First Qiu Ju goes to the village police, and one policeman, a friend of her husband, tries to mediate. He requires the Chief to pay reparation. When the Chief gives Qiu Ju the money, he throws it at her feet and tells her to bow down to him. She leaves the money and ignores him. What follows is her plight through the very dysfunctional Chinese bureaucratic system. While being hugely pregnant, she and her sister make the trek to the city on foot, selling their chilies to pay for her voyages. They go first to the District, then to the City PSB, then to a lawyer and then the Intermediate People's Court. They all agree that the Chief should pay and that both parties look at "self criticism and achieve harmony and stability." However Qiu Ju simply wants an apology and justice. She is determined and restrained. Finally, she is giving birth to her child, but having terrible difficulty. The Chief is called in to help and does so. Their interpersonal relations appear to be mending when there is a party, a month later, celebrating the birth of her child. While the Chief is primping to attend the party, something happens that ... well, maybe I should leave that detail for you to see.

This film is subtle and reveals how strong the spirit can be. It also depicts wonderful images of Chinese life from the market places, to more bicycles in the cities than cars, to riding bicycles in the snow and boarding goats on top of bus racks. It is a wonderful cultural experience and gives us a glimpse into a society we are not familiar with. It's not a knock-your-socks-off film, but it always keeps your attention on the tenacious plight of this moral woman. I recommend this film.

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