My latest world cinema review is of..
 

Beijing Bicycle (Shiqi sui de dan che)

I've been watching a lot of Latin and Southern American films lately so I decided I would try something a bit different. Beijing Bicycle tells the tale of two young Chinese men from different classes whose lives become intertwined as they both struggle to claim ownership of the same bicycle.

Guei has recently moved to the city and manages to get a job as a bicycle courier with the understanding that once he has earned enough for the company the shiny, high quality bicycle will be his to keep and he will from there on earn a bigger percentage of sales from his deliveries. Just as he is about to reach that target his bicycle is stolen and he loses his job for failing to deliver the item he had a the time. After much pleading his boss agrees to give him his job back if he is able to find his bicycle. In a city like Beijing where bicycle is the main mode of transport that is a rather large task. He does manage to find it though in the possession of middle-class student Jian who is using it to impress his friends and potential girlfriend.

The film follows their battle to claim ownership and shows them both fighting to fit in with their communities and the fire within them to succeed above their current situations.

In a stark contrast from the south American cinema I have been watching the initial story telling devices in Beijing bicycle felt more French in nature with a slow start that eventually sucks you in to the human qualities of the tale. City Of God, this certainly isn't but the film maker does manage to pull it back from the brink of repetitiveness a number of times and focus the viewer back on what ultimately is a gripping human tale. In addition, it is unusual to watch a film that reflects modern Chinese society it what appeared from an outsider to be a fairly realistic light. Most Chinese cinema available in the west focuses on the ancient tales or are merely martial arts related. So, seeing Chinese youth dressed up as you would expect a skater kid from the West to dress was an interesting glimpse into a society few of us get to experience.

So...how many stars out of four? I'll give it three stars with the understanding that it is a well told story but that anyone that has trouble with fairly slow moving beginnings to a film may not make it all the way through the story. However, if the more relaxed European style of film making interests you by then all means give Beijing bicycle a watch.