Shan zha shu zhi lian (2010)

English title: Under the Hawthorn Tree

In 1970, in China, under Mao, a teenage girl is sent to the country for "reeducation". She meets a slightly older boy who is working as a land prospector in the nearby area. They fall in love, but must keep it secret on account of her young age and of political factors involving her family and, as a consequence, herself.

Well-made tear-jerker. I was reluctant to use this denominator on account of its possible negative connotation, so let me clarify that, in addition to its already mentioned competent craftsmanship, this film has an overall un-melodramatic, and even un-romantic style, provided one refers to the traditional, 19th-century meaning of romanticism. It is a celebration of pure love, in terms that would be understandable to anyone at any time in history, provided the sociopolitical background could be explained to them. Concerning that background, the film is frank and realistic, and this aspect is likely to interest politically-minded viewers, but that is not its dramatic center. All that being said, it is probably not a great film, for reasons that are hard to state in a positive way. And it is not likely to put one in a cheerful mood either, so the old advice for using one's own discretion is still the best one.

Rating: 58