In the picture the old man looks unkind, probably even scary, not the least likable. In fact, Old Yang first appears to be a worthless father, spending long hours gambling in a mahjong house, leaving his paralyzed wife unattended at home. He also fools around with a woman years his junior. It seems reasonable for his children to be on very bad terms with him. The movie name “Old Beast” thus seems appropriate for an old man so detestable and despicable.
But, as the story progresses, the reasons for the conflicts between the old man and his children gradually unfold and in the end he turns out to be the victim, rather than the cause, of the family’s misfortune. Undeniably, he has to face up to his own faults. But this does not justify his children’s violence, however minor it is, in dealing with the case. And they should not have turned completely oblivious of the help Old Yang has offered them. By including such details, I think, the director intends to highlight the injustice in society.
In fact, Old Yang’s family is conceptualized metaphorically to draw attention to the phenomenon in society. What happens to them throws light on some problems arising from people’s attempts to get adapted to the social changes that have come along with urbanization in certain regions of Northeast China. It is interesting to see Old Yang’s friend, and then Old Yang himself, dragging a sick camel along. And the camel is later replaced by a dairy cow, which is deemed more economically efficient. These symbolize the gradual disappearance of pasture land to give way to real estate development.
The family members talk with one another as if discussing a business affair, each concerning himself merely with his own gains. This is typical of the attitude of the general mass of people in that region. Even the woman from whom Old Yang borrows the phone speaks cynically. And the two real estate salesmen’s barbaric acts are abominable! I don’t remember a smile on anyone’s face. And the only time Old Yang ever smiles happily is when he gets the news about the arrangement for his wife to undergo an operation. So urbanization and development has come at a high cost: society has become less caring and sympathetic.
“Old Beast” is a very good movie, doubtlessly another of my enthusiastic recommendations.
沒有留言:
張貼留言