Wednesday, February 25, 2009

fairy tale of shanghai


if you hear your telephone while watching 'SUZHOU RIVER' you won't hit pause. you'll just let it ring, wishing it would stop. being invited into the magic of filmmaker ye lou's world is rare. some of his films have a very hard time finding a release.
2000's, 'suzhou river' is a sensual experience, from the look and sound of the city to the shakespearean theme. 'trust' is a very important element, as it should always be. there is a motorcycle courier, a schoolgirl, and a mermaid in a seedy nightclub fish tank. there is a little houseboat, dirty dealings by a dirty river and lots of cigarette smoke. 
the color in this movie is breathtaking. 
watching the girl apply a tiny stick-on tattoo to her thigh with spit is like seeing a balthus painting come to life. one of my favorite films ever and i have yet to share the experience.

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