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Sons (1996)

Director: Zhang Yuan

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A shatteringly intense docu-drama chronicling episodes in the breakdown of the Li family in present-day Beijing. The central problem is the father, Li Maojie, a former dancer who's declined into alcoholism and violence since stiffening joints forced him to retire. Both his sons hate him, partly because they're afraid they'll take after him; they're slackers, on the fringes of the city's underground rock scene. Seeing something universal in their problems - especially the mutual withholding of love - Zhang has the family re-enact its own domestic strife for the camera. Made with palpable warmth and affection for its characters, the film provides the most credible account of street-level realities in China's cities yet seen.

Author: TR

Time Out Film Guide


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Cast & crew

Director: Zhang Yuan

Producer: Zhang Yuan

Cast: Li Maojie, Fu Rongde, Li Ji, Li Wei full cast

Duration: 95 mins



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