Original review on new website: http://www.MiniMiniMovie.com)
Film: Red Light Revolution (Hong Deng Meng / 红灯梦)
Year: 2010
Writer/Director: Sam Voutas
Venue: Prince Charles Cinema, London
Further Info: http://www.princecharlescinema.com/
Cast:
Zhao Jun
Vivid Wang
Jiang Xiduo
Masanobu Otsuka
Virgin Chen
(Running time: 91 mins)
This film was first up on this, my second day of the festival...
The writer/director (Greek/Australian but essentially Oz) introduced this movie, accompanied by a blow up doll. Strange? Well, I've seen many a bizarre thing in this life so... errr... no.
Firstly, this film is set and filmed in Beijing in one of the older, small town areas (apparently within one of the main ringroads).
Secondly, it's filled & fuelled with brilliant humour. I was wondering whether I would have guessed that it was written by a non-Asian or non-Chinese individual if I didn't already know this. I say that I 'knew' this but frankly I only knew that he directed it and not necessarily wrote also, but this was affirmed in the Q & A which would follow.
In the movie, we meet a man who is not having much success lately. Work, relationships & his TV to name but 3 random items. However, all these moments - and they're all kind of interconnected with one another - are so comedic you fall in love with all whom are involved. His parents are fantastic and have such advice & 'wisdom' which you'd expect, to a degree. It's pretty hilarious whilst honest also.
Spoilers aside, he doesn't sit on his butt jobless but as any man (or woman) down on their luck needs something to lift his spirits. It's not long before he is trying to fully pick up the pieces, whether this be by looking for work actively or being offered a 'chance of a lifetime'. But what kind of lucky chance would this be? Well, it doesn't take an expert to judge from the film's title alone that it must include sexual connotations. Albeit not in the 'red light' we might associate with (I'm thinking of prostitution), but still connected with such areas.
Around this time there is a great Japanese character introduced who briefly steals a scene or two. And it is ultimately from this introduction that our little hero is given the opportunity he is (NOT necessarily) after. Either way, he needs something to put his mind to and of course earn money from.
With the aid of a girl whom he knows, although who he has not that long known he sets up this business. A business in which the items he is to hopefully sell to the public are very unfamiliar to him...and who could blame him, we're not talking of Fisher Price items on sale here.
Some very chuckle-enducing scenes or experiments with sex toys ensure, both at this start of his venture and throughout the picture.
We meet very funny locals and regulars - or irregulars - to his new establishment. And, what success story would be one without a threat of closure or the fact that it may not actually succeed...?
An essential part of any such threats is displayed to us by the local 'Neighbourhood Watch' guy, although this title is not the same as such a 'watch' in the UK.
This brings it's own comedy, including a scene where the Neighbourhood Watch guy must be stopped or at least stalled from visiting the young man's establishment. The intended stalling scene is brief but humorous, I hope you'd agree.
[Leading on from the latter, & when our hero and associate are asked about what line of work they are in, the comedy-writer inside me came out. Elaboration? Me? OK. 1) There are balloons on display in the store - I thought there would be a joke where they claim to be a balloon or party shop and had to demonstrate with condoms...Seriously, such an idea would not be out of place in this movie. 2) When asked with what are some shoes to be polished with, I was convinced there would be some kind of lubricating gel displayed &/or applied.]
There is a great scene or two involving a reverse-impotency solution. A solution in more ways than one. One of such scenes also involves the director & writer of the picture in this part of the movie, with funny consequences. So... Cameo...? Word Up...
All in all, good clean (or 'dirty') fun...
Q & A
The fluent director (fluent in Mandarin, it had been previously explained, and of course English;) answered questions on the task of making this movie. A few highlights:
- Due to one needing a license to film in a sex shop [a license is also required before one decides to open such an adult store] a large manufacturer, based in China supplied the adult toys shown in this picture. In other words, much product placement is on display here.
- He probably wouldn't have been able to make the film had he not been able to speak Mandarin. If only because all the crew spoke zero English.
- Certain Hollywood or non-Chinese film companies suggested that the film be shot in the appropriate New York area or Chinatown in London (with English language actors too!) but of course this would not have been genuine, or quaint in my opinion. The director also knows Beijing very well.
- It had been suggested, upon hearing the synopsis that the shop in the film be changed to a Tea Shop but as the director explained, they "just weren't getting it"...!
- I noticed there seemed to be quite a few French in the audience. At least 3 of the individuals had French accents.
I then wandered off with a newly found friend (from the previous evening) to grab coffee - well, this was to be a long day - and got back to the Prince Charles cinema in time to catch main star, & karate champion Rina finishing up her brief introduction to Karate Girl. You can karate-kick your way over to a review of that one here:
http://miniminimovie.com/2011/05/31/terracotta-iii-karate-g/
"Red Light Revolution" Reel...
[youtube=http://youtu.be/NFSzRjbE9HE]
