Young Dreamer Turns Heroine Teacher

Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Not One Less (Yi ge dou bu neng shao)
G –

Genre: Drama
Year Released: 1999, 2023 Imprint Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 46m
Director(s): Yimou Zhang
Writer(s): Xiangsheng Shi
Cast: Wei Minzhi, Huike Zhang, Zhenda Tian
Where To Watch: available now here www.viavision.com.au

RAVING REVIEW: Let's plunge into the heart of rural China, where cash flow is as scarce as a desert oasis. Enter a young girl with dreams bigger than her years, suddenly flung into the role of teacher. But this isn't your typical classroom drama; we're talking about a schoolroom with an injunction hanging over it like a sword. Not one student must drop out for her meager salary to be guaranteed. As fate would have it, her most troublesome student plunges into the urban jungle, seeking a job to ease his family's financial crisis. Unfazed, the substitute teacher resolves to retrieve him, ensuring his right to education. Unexpectedly, an urban television station heeds her call for aid, assisting in this epic quest. This is the story of NOT ONE LESS.

Zhang Yimou, the seasoned director behind this film, surprises his audience with a departure from his traditional storytelling style. NOT ONE LESS leans towards a Western-narrative structure, an unexpected twist from Yimou's signature style that disrupts the film's flow but, by no means, detracts from its inherent brilliance. Among Yimou's treasure trove of movies, NOT ONE LESS stands proudly, a beacon of Yimou's dedication to unveiling the harsh realities of rural China. Despite the clutches of poverty, the film's characters shine with an unyielding will to survive.

Through deft cinematography and pacing, Yimou immerses us in the scene, making the viewers feel like they are walking the grounds of this antiquated school. Yimou's storytelling prowess, based on Shi Xiangsheng's 1997 narrative "A Sun in the Sky," earned NOT ONE LESS the Golden Lion for Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival and Yimou the title of Best Director at China's Golden Rooster Awards.

The story's epicenter is 13-year-old Minzhi Wei, who takes on the teaching mantle in the headteacher's absence. Despite her lack of professional training and academic struggles, her determination, stoked by a promised reward, leads her on a daring quest into the city to bring back a student. Yimou, a global icon in Chinese cinema, has consistently showcased China's historical depth in his films.

The character of Minzhi Wei, the rookie substitute teacher, is a moving depiction of vulnerability and unyielding spirit. Her journey, coupled with the evolving nature of the student who braves city life, stirs up a potpourri of emotions in the audience. The depth behind their seemingly simple exteriors is a testament to Yimou's perceptive character development.

SPECIAL FEATURES AND TECHNICAL SPECS:
1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan
Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Audio Mandarin LPCM 2.0 Stereo
Optional English subtitles
Limited Edition slipcase on the first 1500 copies with unique artwork

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[photo courtesy of VIA VISION/IMPRINT]

MY SAG-AFTRA/WGA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals' extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I'm steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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