Xiao cheng zhi chun

English title: Spring in a Small Town

Genre: psychological drama (in black and white)

With: Wei Wei* (Zhou Yuwen), Shi Yu (Dai Liyan, her husband), Zhang Hongmei (Xiou or Meimei, Liyan’s young sister), Cui Chaoming (Old Huang, the servant), Li Wei (Zhang Zhichen, the visitor)

Director: Mu Fei

Screenplay: Li Tianji

Release: 1948

Studio: Wenhua Film Studio

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.4/10

  

–Why are you acting like this? Why so angry?

– l don’t know. l can’t help it. l’m a failure. 

 

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Story-line: in a small Chinese town shortly after World War II, Yuwen spends her gruelling, thankless days taking care of her sick and demoralized husband Liyan. She’s afraid of dying, he seems afraid of living. They share a rundown estate with Liyan’s younger sister and a servant. Everything looks bleak… but the unexpected visit of an old friend changes everything for Liyan… and it so happens that Yuwen also knows him well.

Pluses: convincing performances from all cast members, competent and reasoned direction, a thoughtful, well-written screenplay remarkable for its subtle psychological insights and interplay, irreproachable production values in spite of limited means, an appropriate musical score and a poignant final act.

Minuses: the first few minutes may feel slow but they mirror the suffocating world in which Liyan and his family are inescapably trapped.  

Comments: if you choose to watch this film, don’t expect fireworks or loud suspense. The quiet and exquisitely nuanced SPRING IN A SMALL TOWN recounts a pivotal stage in the lives of hopeless people burdened with guilt, health issues and moral imperatives. At times, they exchange only a few words, a look or even a silent gesture… yet you fully understand their yearnings and disappointments. Mu Fei’s very mature work is a milestone in the history of Chinese cinema.

 

MBiS 

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*Please note that proper names in this review may have been reversed. My apologies to any and all concerned.