The movie is available on Iqiyi and does have English subtitles for those that can't understand Chinese.
This film focuses on three different parts.
The first is the base love story that develops between the main characters. It is highlighted in numerous parts and shows the growth from beginning to end. Their relationship changes to match the feeling of the film. The construction of the project and the destruction of the home.
The second part is the focus on Zhao dan. He seems like a person, similar to Chaplin, who was famous in the "golden age". I will check out some of his films in the future. His image is focused on through the various elderly people who show some of the same issues "we" in the "west" may see in films. Chaplin was the most famous in the world. Today, the most famous doesn't compare at that level of popularity. Similarly, the jokes about the changes in Chinese culture over the time are interesting. Finally, the characters portrayed are based on everyday people, as were Chaplin's.
The last part is the change in Shanghai. The change from the 20's till the present day are pretty simple. The destruction of the old simply shows the destruction of Shanghai as a city. While its skyscrapers remain, the majority have been left behind, replaced by foreign entrants (both Chinese and non-Chinese). The final scene encapsulates this quite clearly.
This is one of the better movies I have seen in a while. It might not translate to those who can't understand the language or the feeling. Pretension vs. profit. culture vs. taste. Money vs. history. All of these themes are clear in the film. If you have a chance, do see it. It will help in understanding Shanghai a bit better, rather than just limiting it to the modern city.
This is one of the better movies I have seen in a while. It might not translate to those who can't understand the language or the feeling. Pretension vs. profit. culture vs. taste. Money vs. history. All of these themes are clear in the film. If you have a chance, do see it. It will help in understanding Shanghai a bit better, rather than just limiting it to the modern city.