Skip to main content

King of the Children (1987)

King of the Children Extended Poster

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher.

Director: Chen Kaige
Producers: Xi'An Film Studio
Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name

Starring:
Xie Yuan as Lao Gan
Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen
Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu

 Freddy's Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded

Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestions, I went rogue and picked my own film to start this journey into Chinese cinema. Not very grateful of me, I know, but don’t worry, I will be watching all the recommendations and giving credit to those who sent them in the coming weeks. My first choice? King of the Children by Chen Kaige. And let me tell you, I was not prepared.


Lost in Translation (and History)

Turns out, I was embarrassingly ignorant about the Cultural Revolution, so after watching the movie, I had to do a crash course just to understand what I had just seen. The film starts with this scruffy-looking guy living in a hut with a bunch of people, and suddenly, he is assigned to be a teacher. Judging by his torn shirt and messy hair, this does not seem like the best idea. People in the movie laughed at the situation, and I just sat there wondering if the subtitles were playing a prank on me. Most of the time, I did not know what everyone was laughing about. The cultural and linguistic barriers hit me hard, but I was fascinated. Then the setting changed, and wow. The school is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by towering mountains that look straight out of a classic Chinese painting. The cinematography is breathtaking. It is beautiful but also eerie when you realize this is real life for people in these remote areas.


Confused, But Enlightened

As our guy settles into teaching, he quickly realizes the kids have been trained to just memorize words without understanding them—basically, the ultimate "repeat after me" education system. So, like any good teacher, he tries to change things up and get them thinking critically. Big mistake. Spoiler: he gets fired. (Which I didn’t even realize at first, because I was too busy still trying to decipher what was going on.) The movie’s pacing is slow, but instead of getting bored, I found myself mesmerized by the scenery and deep in thought, questioning every little detail. Also, can we talk about the sound design? There’s almost no music in the entire film—except for one strange, shamanic-sounding track that made me feel like I was witnessing some ancient ritual. The rest of the time, the film plays with silence and unsettling noises in a way that I know was intentional, but my clueless brain just couldn't quite decode. All in all, I’d recommend this if you’re in the mood to time-travel to a different era and place, and if you’re open to learning through confusion. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a fascinating one. The themes connect to the director’s previous films, so now I feel like I have homework to do. At least now I am a little more prepared for what is coming next.

Watch the full movie with English subtitles here: King of the Children (1987)


🎥 Cinematography (9/10):

Stunning landscapes, beautifully shot.

📖 Story (7/10):

Confusing at times, but meaningful.

🎬 Direction (7/10):

Subtle but effective storytelling.

👥 Characters (7/10):

Hard to connect with, but intriguing.

💥 Visual Effects (N/A):

No flashy effects, just raw realism.

🎭 Acting (7/10):

Feels natural, but some emotions were hard to read.

💬 Dialogue (6/10):

Lost in translation, but seemed deep.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (9/10):

Gorgeous, immersive, and haunting.

🎵 Music (6/10):

Almost none. One scene with cool music. Great sound effects.

😄 Entertainment Value (8/10):

More of a learning value here.

Final Score: 66/100
Our blog is currently being updated regularly!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...