Chen Kaige, who joined the Beijing Film Academy after the Cultural Revolution along with classmates Zhang Yimou and Tian Zhuangzhuang, gained international fame with his first film “Yellow Earth” in 1984. In keeping with the lyrical visual qualities and dialogue scarcity that critics lauded in “Yellow Earth”, Chen’s second film release follows a blind musician searching for his sight and enlightenment with his pupil in the barren Mongolian landscape.
The plot centers around the “Master”, a blind sanxian musician who has been promised a magic elixir to restore his sight once he breaks the 1000th string on his instrument. Master is joined by his apprentice, Shitou, as they wander through village and countryside. The blind travelers, searching for peace and enlightenment are witness to political upheaval and the interruptions that human emotion can cause in the philosophical seeker’s quest for mystical illumination.
The film’s slow pace and sparseness of dialogue is mitigated by the stunning cinematography and careful use of music, supplied by the main characters. Lovers of the film style of the Fifth Generation and of Chen’s later works will enjoy this poetic fable of the search for the ultimate truth and meaning in life.
Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Webber Uniplex
1689 Chateau Drive Dunwoody, GA 30338-6047
Directions to the Webber Uniplex (also known as the Webber family residence) can be found here.
The usual potluck supper will precede the movie. Please call Pat Webber at 770-396-5690 by Wednesday, April 2nd to let her know what you’ll be bringing.
For more information e-mail Sylvia Krebs.
