Film No. 37 (2015) June 3rd. 6:45 PM PARADISO Northbridge.
"She made me promise to return to this village with this bird" (Zhigen explains to his granddaughter, Renxing, part of the reason he is taking his trip).
The Nightingale
Four years ago France and China signed a treaty forming an arts partnership of an unlikely kind. The bond was to commit artists and funding in a united front to make unique movies. The French would inject artistic expertise while Chinese talent and relevant funding mechanisms were placed on call. The Nightingale, a sweet film, part road movie part relationship reparation is an off shoot of this splicing of cultures.
Put simply our hearts are taken by Zhigen (Bao Tian Li), the aging grandfather of Renxing (Xin Yi Yang), an indulged only child. Zhigen has decided to travel some distance across China to return to his home village where he will spend the rest of his days. Renxing is constantly caught in the middle of squabling parents Qianing (Xin Ren Li) and son to Zhigen, Chongyi (Hoa Qin). When Zhigen learns of his daughter in law's busy schedule he invites a reluctant Renxing along for the ride. Perhaps, deep down he's hoping to repair other wounds along the way.
And so the road trip begins. The complications arise as the gentle natured Zhigen quietly adapts then comply s with is needy granddaughters' demands. The common thread to their partnership is tied by the old man's pet, a Nightingale. The old bird is carried carefully by its owner as they travel but soon Renxing is drawn to the chirpy feathered creature. It's no surprise that as she becomes more compassionate we begin to soften our view towards her.
The telling of this simple tale is done very cleverly. On the surface the narrative slides smoothly along with good humour and without complication but the issues faced by each character are nothing but complicated. In particular the father/son issues of which the resolution is not entirely convincing. French director Philippe Muyl has stamped his whimsical imprint on this gentle, atmospheric piece of cinema. I shall seek out some other films made under this unique artistic treaty. 8GUMS
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