★ 7 / 10
“Zhang” (Yi Zhang) manages to escape from a
CinemaSerf
“Zhang” (Yi Zhang) manages to escape from a forced labour camp just as the Chinese cultural revolution is in full swing. His plan is to make it back to his…
“Zhang” (Yi Zhang) manages to escape from a forced labour camp just as the Chinese cultural revolution is in full swing. His plan is to make it back to his remote home where he hopes to see a screening of a short propaganda newsreel extolling the merits of socialism that features his young daughter. The thing about these multi-reel movies, though, is that they are constantly being circulated, damaged, stopped and stolen - so actually finding it in a working condition near somewhere capable of exhibiting it is no mean feat for this increasingly malnourished and frustrated gent. Then he encounters the wandering “Liu” (Haocun Liu) who also requires the film - but for an entirely different, and probably more practical purpose, so whilst trying to obtain it from her and stay one step ahead of the pursuing authorities, his work is cut out for him. As his quest proceeds, we are introduced by way of flashbacks, to just who he is, who she is, and why we are all chasing this moment encapsulated in nitrate. This reminded me, in many ways, of “Cinema Paradiso” (1988) insofar as it really emphasises just how important cinema was to a small town community. At how revered, almost, the projectionist- in this case “Mr. Movie” (Wei Fan) - was, and despite the fact that the screen was little better than a king sized bed sheet, and just how the population gathered to see whatever the authorities deemed fit for their consumption with eagerness and zeal. It’s thinly veiled critique on all things “party” is disguised in some really quite dark humour with some down right disrespectful dialogue that ridicules the very principles of any one doctrine state, ostensibly benign or just plain authoritarian. The scenes with Wei Fan, especially towards the end, do raise a smile and then there’s the slight futility to it that works well, too. At times the photography gives up quite a powerful degree of intimacy and at other times it stands back and allows us to enjoy, or query, this man’s travails as you begin to wonder will he ever see the film and just what did he ever do to merit such persistent attempts to recapture him! It can be a little sluggish at times, but the last half hour make it worth a watch.
★ 7 / 10
interesting little movie
cherold
One Second is a small-town period piece about a rough man obsessed with seeing a stolen newsreel. When the newsreel is stolen by a young orphan girl he goes on…
One Second is a small-town period piece about a rough man obsessed with seeing a stolen newsreel. When the newsreel is stolen by a young orphan girl he goes on the chase.The reasons are shown over time, but the thing you see right away is the importance of film in the movie's world. Townspeople are obsessed with movies, and theater owners are respected to a remarkable degree. Who knew?The film has an interesting structure - much of the middle is devoted to saving some damaged film, which is surprisingly absorbing, but other parts are pretty dramatic. And the central relationship between the man and the orphan girl is rather remarkable as it shifts and alters in ways that make sense even when they surprise.While I am more a fan of directory Yimou Zhang's blockbusters than of his smaller village-life movies , this is a genuinely enjoyable and affecting film that is well worth watching.
★ 8 / 10
For the love of cinema!
M0n0_bogdan
In the last couple of month, or maybe the last year I have seen maybe 10 movies about famous directors love for the cinema...of course one of China's best will…
In the last couple of month, or maybe the last year I have seen maybe 10 movies about famous directors love for the cinema...of course one of China's best will do the same. Love for the cinema with a bit of family dynamic sprinkled in.
It is not as visually spectacular as other films from Zhang Yimou but it's still beautifully shot and the cinema scenes really have impact. To involve the entire village to clean up an entire reel that was dragged on the road, it was just not only very powerful chinese propaganda but also a very direct way for Yimou to show us how much he respects the film..and to present it all on the "silver" screen via back-light. Such a great couple of scenes.
Yeah, a lot of it also reminded me of communist Romania and they way they all gathered at the films to mindlessly watch anything, even newsreels, all too familiar. Not for me, but from the stories I heard.
100%
TOMATOMETER
· 25 reviews
75%
AUDIENCE
7.1/10
3.5K
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Thank you very much!