Lü de shui

The first thing to say is that this is a tragedy, first and foremost, with some comic elements.

Because it seems to be described in many places as a comedy movie, which, along with the whimsical movie poster, might give you this impression that this is a going to be a feel-good experience. But no; while it has some funny jokes, they basically finish up by the middle of the movie and the rest is just a succession of appalling things being said and done.

It's a morality tale; some relatively relateable characters start by telling white lies for the greater good but end up digging themselves into ever worsening problems.

And herein lies the main issue I have: you can have a comedy movie where everything goes wrong: a black comedy. But if there's no humor and you're making an outright tragedy, then you need some other elements to sustain such a story. Here, it feels like they make a point by the end of the first act, and then that point just gets repeated, more and more painfully, through the second and third acts with little entertainment value.

The 4 stars are because the acting is very good.

A surprisingly politically daring movie made by China's foremost comedic group, Kaixin Mahua. The characters, who are all caricatures of modern society individuals elevate the simple premise of making a donkey into a teacher so they could get more funding is anything but simple. The principle who wants to do the right whatever the cost, the freedom seeker who is taken advantage of, the loyal servant who bows to reality, the turncoat or even the simpleton are all trying to survive in a deceitful situation where they have no control over. Is the film funny? Not comparing to other Mahua Production films, but it is deeper in its meaning and less sappy. The film is a great parody of modern society China where lies just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The first half is a comedy and the second half is a tragedy. And to a certain extent, it ironically reflects the problems that China has been facing.

This is a tragedy of a 1940's Chinese feminist. And much more than that.

Since the English subtitles are trash, and lack of some key info. To help to understand this film better, here are some backgrounds you should know:

The story happened in mountainous China in the 1940s. When Chinese suffered from the Japan's invasion in WWII, in this undeveloped little village far away from the war, a group of idealists who share a dream of "educating every children in the rural China (like NCLB)" of whom each has their own problems back in the city, founded a primary school. They soon find themselves face a series of ethical dilemmas and suffer the consequences of the choices they've made. Lies between their campus and the nearest water source is an over 10 kilometers treacherous mountain road. A black donkey named "lv de shui" is essential for them to get enough water for drinking and domestic usage. The title of this film, Lv De Shui, in Chinese means the water-fetching donkey, which is the name of the donkey.

But the school's budget proposal for keeping the donkey is denied by the government. So they fabricate a fake person named "Lv De Shui", as their school's English teacher, and use that freeloading money to cover their cost on the donkey. And one day, an official from the Ministry of Education came to inspect Mr. Lv De Shui, their English teacher...

OK, that's as far as i can go without giving you any spoilers.

This film gives you a stage-play feeling in cinematography and editing. The acting is quite convincing and genuine. And hats off to the cinematographer, Mr. Jong Lin. The color use in the film is bold yet beautiful. And the theme song, I love it.

This is an ambitious film in which the directors try to raise some questions, Like, does the ends justify the means? if yes, how far is too far? Where should we draw the line? If not, should we just stop and do nothing? Or are those who do nothing better than those who are willing to do anything? Or do we have the right to judge? Or in general, are we entitled to judge others life choices at all?

Like, which is more awful? Set a very high moral standard and can't keep it or simply set a low one?

Like, how easily people are to submit when facing violence or power.

Like, how far your act of righteousness can go when the act itself will cost you financially and physically?

Like, how hurtful it could be of labeling people.

But for me personally, I think it's about being truthful and brave, be truthful to yourself and be brave to stand up for yourself.

Watch it, you'll like it.