Happy Times 幸福时光 - 2000 - Zhang Yimou
We all know Zhang Yimou for his super-blockbusters Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Curse of the Golden Flower.
Millions of extras choreographed, parading around grand, colourful sets.
He was the perfect choice to direct the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
But Zhang Yimou is much more than this. Take a look at The Road Home or Happy Times and you’ll see.
Happy Times starts out seeming less than pure of heart.
A middle-aged man, “Manager Zhao”, devoid of genuine love, tries to woo a nasty fat lady.
The nasty fat lady would marry him, if only he had loads of money.
So he sets up a Love Hotel in an old bus.
But things take a different turn, and the real story emerges.
It ends up being a tragic, beautiful tale of make-believe, as Zhao tries to convince a young blind girl that he is, indeed, a successful business man.
In many ways it echos Goodbye Lenin.
And the effect is very similar.
It’s a touching tale of the quest for love, and of people working together to make life better.
I was going to compare it to Life is Beautiful, and in the process found this - a live-action Pinocchio - gotta be worth a watch!
