Ela, a Chinesa

Twenty-something Li Mei (Lu Huang) drifts between jobs in the Chonqing region of China (formally known as Chungking) working in low paid jobs and finding herself mixed up with the wrong sort. Eventually she arrives in London as a tourist and begins working in a massage parlour where she gets to know one of her older clients, English man Geoffrey (Geoffrey Hutchings). She ends up marrying him for a visa and soon finds that she is struggling to adapt to her new country.

This Anglo-Chinese film directed by Xiaolu Guo is truly a global one and one that addresses challenges for the working class or underclass who try to adapt to this global world in search of a better life. Both for a western or Chinese audience it highlights those concerns well, although there are points of flatness in the film and it doesn't really provide any answers other than "it just is".

I think the rating is a bit low for this film... From the backwards peasant village,to the major city in chonqing,to the "bright lights" of London...was there any difference from either of these locations? All were dreary,following a young girl who,when you look at it just wanted to be loved and love someone herself. I think the lead actress was absolutely superb and there are some truly heartbreaking moments in this film,especially noticing how in one way or the other every Male she meets abuses her in some way or the other... I personally really enjoyed this film,in a depressing way albeit,and I would highly recommend people to watch it,I always believe a good film should stir emotion in you,this certainly did in me especially making me teary eyed over the depressing ending...

Director Xiaolu Guo have managed to put together a rather interesting movie here with "She, A Chinese", as it tells a very deep and compelling story.

The story told in "She, A Chinese" is about Li Mei who lives in a small rural village in China, dreaming of a better life. However, in her desire to get there she runs into some less than savory characters, and when she finally do get to Chongqing, she ends up with equally less than savory characters as she takes up work in the "Love Salon" - a salon that does more than just cut hair. And her fortune changes as she runs into a thug with a good amount of money. A spur of the moment decision takes Li Mei to London where she ends up marrying an older British man, but falling in love with an Indian immigrant.

"She, A Chinese" is a movie about a girl's journey from dreams to reality, but also a journey from girlhood into adulthood. But it is also a movie about the actual journey itself, from the small Chinese village in the East to the bustling metropolis London in the West. It is a story that is nicely told and really brought to life quite well on the screen.

The people cast for the various roles were doing great jobs, and of course the lead role of Li Mei (played by Lu Huang) was the center of the movie and she really carried the movie quite well.

It should be said that "She, A Chinese" might be somewhat of an acquired taste. If you are familiar with Asian cinema, this movie will deviate somewhat from the mainstream movies that comes out of Asia. But it is in no way in a negative way, and "She, A Chinese" is really a good movie with good entertainment value. And it paints a vivid portrait of the differences between East and West and the clash of cultures.

The movie is not fast-paced, so if you don't enjoy movies that takes it times to get you from A to B, then "She, A Chinese" is not the movie for you. However, if you enjoy a very real and down to Earth drama, then "She, A Chinese" is perhaps right up your alley.

I enjoy Asian cinema quite a lot and came across the movie by sheer luck as I was browsing movies on Amazon. It is a good addition to my DVD collection and I was impressed with the impact the story left on me. So, in my opinion, "She, A Chinese" is definitely worth a watch.

I don't understand all the praise for this picture and awarding it at the festival - what for? On the one hand, I feel pity for the main character who is so unlucky with men and love life, or actually sex life because there was merely any love in those relationships; on the other hand, however, I am convinced that she is to blame for her own fate: most of her decisions to start the relationships were totally inconsiderate. Was she so naive or so stupid? I believe that everyone is responsible for one's actions, and if we happen to make a mistake, we should learn from it. This was something that Li Mei doesn't do. I also can't help the impression that while the girl is portrayed as an innocent and pure creature, a victim, all the men around her turn out to be bad primitive beasts, who are incapable of true love. This is not real life!

This international film festival award winner did not disappoint me, not particularly impressive but still inspiring. The film is a beautiful and delicate work. It revolves the story of a Chinese girl who moved from one place to another and tried to pursue something invisible and uncatchable. I read Xiaolu Guo's books before. Guo truly got talent in portraying and conveying the sense of loneliness deep inside the hearts of modern people. I love movies, every movie to me is a unique journey to different places. And this time Xiaolu Guo took me travelling from city to city, letting me have reflections on my own identity and a thorough thinking of what I am running after. The film covers quite a lot of topics, from love to hate, discussing what really matters to us, what a life we are looking for. Having the story developing in a believable way is a tribute to the director and actors. Huang Lu gave a solid performance this time, successfully making the character alive in audience's mind.It is a film about people and people, about people and city. Not a must-see one, but won't regret if you watch it.