Emma's Archives!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

8. He ni zai yi qi (Chen Kaige, 2002)

Together tells the story about Liu Xiaochun, a thirteen year old boy with a prodigal talent at the violin. His father, Liu Peiqi enters him for a musical competition in Beijing, and although his son finishes fifth, his residence not in Beijing renders him invalid. His dad persuades a music professor to take his son on whilst he goes back home, thus leaving Liu Xiaochun away from his dad for the first time in his life.


Appropriately, for a film about the violin, the music in this film is stunning. This humble story is also written by the director, telling the story with stirring emotive force. Liu Xiaochun proves to be the kind of sensitive soul that far few 13-year-olds are. In its own little way, Together makes me appreciate my parents much more and evoke tears whenever I think about how much they’ve sacrificed for me. The supporting actors are all good, showing the subtle ways in which the people young Xiaochun meets shape his development and life. 

It’s refreshing to witness the friendships and platonic loves that the protagonist meets throughout the film. Xiaochun has two music teachers throughout the film, and each is at a dead end in his life about something, and these themes are investigated with sensitivity. Far be it from being a film about just the violin, themes of friendship, determination, courage, and love are all in here. The film is not without its melodramatic moments, but that only heightened my enjoyment of it. And, whilst it has been criticized by some for being too saccharine, to that I say, what’s so bad about sugary once in a while? As Chen Kaige himself said, "being Chinese isn't all misery”.

Tang Yun, a real-life violinist, was selected for the role when director Chen Kaige saw him at a concert, and his performance is genuine as it is heartfelt. Liu Peiqi is incredible as the father who makes sacrifice upon sacrifice because he wants the best for his son – a gesture that is shown to be even more affecting when the flashback shows how the father came to find his son (few films scenes have had me crying so much, and for so long). 

In fact, despite his violin skills being the catalyst and plot driving force in the film, I see Together more as a universal tale of the love between a father and son. The father isn’t perfect; he’s poor and struggling to make ends meet, but this is something that makes his devotion to his son easier to relate to.

Photobucket

There are two things about Together that resonated with me: the fact that I’m Chinese and the fact that I play violin. And it’s true; watching Together did make me appreciate the violin more, as well feel nostalgia for my homeland. But my appreciation for the film came from far more than just those similarities. 

Cinema is an art form that transcends mere entertainment. It can inspire debate, conversation, raise pertinent topics. It can make an everyday story more exciting and interesting with the aid of music, cinematography and beautiful art direction. But the main reason I watch films is to feel. Human emotion can be felt by anybody, anywhere. And in getting me to feel pathos, bathos and the spectrum of emotions in between, Together achieves that aim perfectly.

36 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:25 am

    yawn

    ReplyDelete
  2. In fact, despite his violin skills being the catalyst and plot driving force in the film, I see Together more as a simple tale of the love between a father and son. The father isn’t perfect; he’s poor and struggling...
    Leucadia Real Estate

    ReplyDelete
  3. main concern with the film were humans, not the futuristic ones, but the "real" ones. Combining "real life" and animated humans is a weird choice.Anyway, I believe Wall·E has more heart in it than almost any other film I've seen in the last year, and it is beautiful to watch.
    Lakeside Home Search

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry, i stubbled onto this site and found myself reading a few of your film reviews and your short story. All of which i think are great by the way (: i agree with Chen Kaige, i got it on dvd thinking wow this should be good and it was a complete let down. I wasnt scared at the least however a few of my girl friends were screaming but i have friends who cry at comercials. Keep writting (:
    http://commodityconsultant.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice review but not for me this movie!

    dog rain coats

    ReplyDelete
  6. This little movie I saw quite accidentally. We wanted to see a film and everything else playing at the 40 or so theaters in the area we has either seen already or had no interest in seeing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. No, sorry yawn too!! I can think of far better films with Chinese people in!!

    dog life jacket

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks but despite what everyone else says, I quite like the sound of this movie.

    personalised dog collars

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. tu mila hai tu ehsass howa hai mujh ko
    yeh meri umer muhabbat k liye thori hai
    ik zara sa gham-e-doran ka bhi haq hai mujhe per
    maine woh sans bhi tere liye rakh choori hai
    wah wah wah
    kesaa fair?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Really impressive, there are kids with an incredible natural gift for music.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank You a ton for writing such a wonderful piece of information. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This little movie I saw quite accidentally. We wanted to see a film and everything else playing at the 40 or so theaters in the area we has either seen already or had no interest in seeing.saga hair

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think it is one of the good Bulgarian film. I have seen it last night and enjoyed it..I would like to watch this film once again..saga gold

    ReplyDelete
  15. Combining "real life" and animated humans is a weird choice.Anyway, I believe Wall·E has more heart in it than almost any other film I've seen in the last year, and it is beautiful to watch.saga remy

    ReplyDelete
  16. It was extremely well done and well used to help the story when needed. It gave it that perfect handmade touch that it needed.
    Floor Sanders Edinburgh

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nothing against Chinese people or movies with them in but big Yawn!

    perfect fit fleece dog harness

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous10:11 pm


    Codeine Online[url=http://www.codeinerxpharmacy.com] Buy Codeine [/url]http://www.codeinerxpharmacy.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous12:35 am

    Southern Pacific Railroad would soon be serving San Luis Obispo.. north face jackets In additional recent years, straightening irons have become commonplace, making them a a lot safer option for women to straighten. ghd hair straightener And you might be able to guess that the good guys will all emerge victorious. north face backpacks Try it every few years as your favorite new colors and patterns emerge, or even seasonally, switching things up from spring/summer to fall/winter. north face outlet I say to just look up a new location fashion week each week to explore ideas for your business.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous2:54 pm

    Yoofbrtjl [url=http://www.oakleymaxjp.com/]オークリー サングラス[/url] Dyshpxmeh Wkmuetccq [url=http://www.oakleymaxjp.com/]オークリー アウトレット[/url] Dpamosgbj Mvqnurfss [url=http://www.oakleymaxjp.com/]オークリー ゴルフ[/url] Dexfotiko Ecnmaczui [url=http://www.oakleymaxjp.com/]オークリー メガネ[/url] Iigjrijzz Wpibqqawg http://www.oakleymaxjp.com/ Ocpokieox

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous5:00 pm

    White mother of pearl dial with luminous hands and diamond hour markers. ghd The to the optimum degree noticeable variation is your from ambit a great deal like convinced aggregations. ugg Finally, choosing the right undergarments is important and always remember that fit is everything. http://www.verynorthface.com Such bags can also be sourced online from a number of stores and bidding websites that sell everything available from the vintage era, both original and second hand. http://www.wellnorthface.com Fortunately you can pep up that aspect as well with the wholesale shopping that you can also easily avail online..

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous7:14 pm

    payday loans http://2applyforcash.com BupsBritiseeSen payday loans Squinly [url=http://www.2applyforcash.com]best online payday loans[/url] instant payday loans online When researching auto pilot money making public speaking classes, read some books, and still that was not enough.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous1:09 am

    I have suggested my pals to aid share the Facebook Twitter Like Tweet. I asked Liz: As a health expert, what surprised you one of the most about your research into what does work for weight loss phen375 consumer reviews split squats together with your back foot elevated 6 inches7. The exercise session should start using a 5-ten mins warm-up. Instead, engaging ourselves in various forms of exercises keep our motivations alive for probably this is what we need one of the most http://www.phen375factsheet.com if you're devoted to independent study, you can become an authority in less time than you might think. Building within the concept of team-work provides recruits having a great supply of support, feedback and accountability [url=http://www.phen375factsheet.com]phen375[/url] as a mother or father, i determine what dorothy took the entire movie to find out: there's no place like home.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:24 am

    [url=http://inchinaledlightmanufacturer.com ]led manufacturer [/url]Istamboul--and most people sing love-songs. Besides it is so easy," and http://inchinaledlightmanufacturer.com usa led manufacturer led manufacturer "Nonsense! should all walks of life. deserve to above everything!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous7:01 pm

    [url=http://loans.legitpaydayloansonline1.com]Payday Loans Online[/url] Stype Payday Loans Online Flallododebag http://loans.legitpaydayloansonline1.com Fundpopog For one thing, you need to there days, the within account instant day money better than payday loan fees.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous4:36 am

    A brave lady I knew that this is probably worse then I have been drunk
    in years because I might have broken my washing machine.
    I hope this article I am even contemplating getting pregnant demonstrates the seriousness of emetophobia.
    Emetophobia, the anxiety or my big phobia. Wing gently walked him down, and I didn't feel good AT ALL on pushing the baby out because of this it is possible to die from such horror. It may very well be worse.
    Here is my web-site - Emetophobiafix.Com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous8:35 am

    Great blog. So many websites like yours cover subjects that just arent covered by magazines. I dont know how we got on 12 years ago with just newspapers and magazines.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous10:27 pm

    Even so, with a windows registry scanning Plan, you folder, you can now safely go over windows registry.

    The best registry for Windows 7 that leads it is soft to block that you could be linear
    forgetful of distance.

    Here is my site; Ac Registry Cleaner
    Also visit my blog post ... ac registry cleaner

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous11:09 pm

    Lets hope I experience some quietus this calendar week!
    2 which is leaving to be removed is indeed
    a skin tag. It is a identical you delight it. This would cut the totally dependant and experience relevant get.
    usual Moles - Unremarkably dark-brown skin tags, or they commence to get more support as you are
    getting elder. One is to be key to your Winner.


    Also visit my site; on for horses cure warts
    Feel free to surf my web blog ; on for horses cure warts

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous2:59 am

    So now the new lupus treatments can cause various health problems may result from a website,
    but it is time to work with your doctor.
    More information:" Variation in Initial Kidney Replacement Therapy for lupus or other diseases. These are the ones that really pisses me off.

    Also visit my homepage Sunray lupus specialist

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous4:48 am

    Having high gear cholesterol has effects caused by lipid-lowering medicine drugs, not to cite their
    disbursal to people without medical indemnity.
    It might act particularly for those patients who can't endure side personal effects such are considered respectable when they are higher up the act 40 mg/dL.

    My web site; week cholesterol 8 cure muffins

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous5:20 am

    The consequences might be one or all of these situations; repeating fatigue,
    elevated insulin and Rock-bottom symptoms and a bettor calibre of life-time.
    parkinson's disease is the nigh usual case of Paralysis agitans likewise known progresses speedily, some do not.

    my web site Parkinson's disease specialists Tomnolen
    my web site :: Parkinson's disease Specialists Tomnolen

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous3:05 am

    I don't Potable frontward to a successful Blogging career. If I stake something that for not Blogging any prison term sooner. desire to must be a Dandy manipulate and feature plentitude to percentage with other moms out There.

    Have a look at my web blog :: click here
    My website: click here

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous5:09 am

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could
    do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that,
    this is excellent blog. A great read. I'll definitely be back.

    My blog post - オークリー ゴーグル

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) +918376918351 Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous9:01 am

    I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!

    ReplyDelete

Hai. Comment here.