China, My Sorrow

China, My Sorrow

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew
  • Recommendations

Status

Released

Release Date

May 24, 1989

Runtime

1h 26m

Genres

History, Drama

User Score

62%

Original Title

牛棚

Production Companies

Flach Film, La Sept Cinéma, Titane Production

Director

Dai Sijie

Description

In August 1966, the Cultural Revolution in full swing, 13-year-old Tian Ben is arrested for playing a pop record; he's sent to a remote mountain camp in Niu-Peng. There he's called "Four Eyes" and, with about 16 other older boys and men, he's made to carry muck up a mountainside, make bricks, saw logs, and sing daily to Chairman Mao of his faults. There's camaraderie among the five youths, especially with a young pickpocket named Baimao, and Tian is also drawn to a silent monk who cares for him when he falls ill and the others expect him to die. The camp is remote, so there are no fences or walls. Tian longs to escape.