Tiffanyyong.com

YOUTH Movie (芳华) Review

YOUTH Movie (芳华) Review | by Tiffanyyong.com

Recommended Audience: Fans of Huang Xuan 黄轩, Miao Miao 苗苗, Zhang Chuxi 钟楚曦, Yang Caiyu 杨采钰, Li Xiaofeng 李晓峰, Wang Tiancheng 王天辰, Sui Yuan 隋源, Zhao Lixin, Feng Xiaogang 冯小刚 and period movie fans

YOUTH Movie (芳华) Synopsis:

He Xiaoping faces discrimination because of a family scandal. She hopes to start over in a new place, but finds that the shame has followed her to Chengdu. Liu Feng is well-liked within the group but he has unrequited crush on the lead solo Lin Dingding. YOUTH Huang Xuan and female castLiu Feng experiences the pain of rejection and is expelled from the group when he makes an unwelcomed advance on her. He Xiaoping is heartbroken because she had secret feelings for Liu Feng…

Each of the members of the art troupe all learn lessons in this coming-of-age story. Their paths have led to different places and different experiences.

YOUTH Movie (芳华) Viewer Rating: 3.25/5 ***

YOUTH Movie (芳华) Review:

Director Feng Xiaogang is known for his choice of actors (they usually become really popular after working with him), as well as his direction in films. I was looking forward to watching this film. After watching, I realised that it wasn’t really meant for me, or should I say for my age group. Older audience would probably resonate more with YOUTH movie, especially those who are in their late forties.

YOUTH movie is a sincere coming-of-age film about a group of teenagers who are working with the military performance troop. The actors are undeniably talented, their acting were realistic and raw, the on-screen chemistry strong and good, especially Miaomiao as He Xiaoping. Her initial enthusiasm to tolerance of being bullied, ostracised and despair with the team was well performed.
YOUTH Lin Dingding Liu FengThe inter-relationship between the different characters were well thought out. However, the film ended in a way where it leaves one wondering what the whole movie was about. Was it about the story of He Xiaoping? Or was it about Liu Feng? Was it a lament of the loss of youth, or the meaning of life? This is indeed a great literature film, but the lack of focus from the point where Liu Feng was sent off made the film a tad too draggy.

It was difficult for me to appreciate the songs and dances, especially when I am aware of the context of the history of China during that period, such as the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. Luckily, the director was focusing more on the beauty, comradeship and hard work of the troops, rather than the message within. Perhaps, when I watch it a decade later, I might have a new revelation for the film.

Do You Know?

Director Feng Xiaogang personally auditioned over 1000 female actors. They were all requested to audition in plain clothes, without any makeup.

YOUTH MiaomiaoWhen filming in Shangri-la, Miao Miao developed high altitude reaction and had difficulty completing dance moves such as flips and turns. She had to use oxygen cylinder so that filming is not delayed.

Luo Pan CinematographerCinematographer Luo Pan (罗攀) was the assistant videographer for the movie. He also cameoed in the film as He Xiaoping’s (Miao Miao) father. He also cameoed in Feng Xiaogang’s previous film I Am Not Madame Bovary (我不是潘金莲).

Feng Xiaogang Yan GelingThe story originates from an arrangement the director Feng Xiaogang and writer Yan Geling had in 2013 – because both of them were in the performance troop during their national service. When Yan Geling completed her initial draft in April 2016, the novel was called “You’ve touched me” (你触摸了我). There after, the screenwriter also gave a few other names and the director chose YOUTH (芳华).

YOUTH War sceneAudition started in May 2016 and the actors had a training in Beijing in October, followed by a secret practice in December. All the actors were taught how to march, pack, use the gun, as well as to use the musical instrument, dance and medic procedures. There weren’t much war scene in the movie, but there was a 6 minutes long shot where no cuts in the war attack. Filming process was extremely dangerous as no cuts were allowed so that it feel more realistic. The director requested repeated rehearsals for safety.

Behind The Scenes and Interviews

YOUTH movie (芳华) is out in Golden Village cinemas on 1st February 2018.

xoxo
tiffanyyong signature
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
*Disclosure: Invitation by Clover Films Singapore. No monetary compensation was received for the movie review.

13 thoughts on “YOUTH Movie (芳华) Review”

  1. I am really intrigued by your review, also as it focuses on the beauty, comradeship and hard work of the troops, I would be very interested to check this out. I am loving the trailer.

  2. Ithfifi Williams / IthinityBeauty

    I quite like the sound of this movie, it sounds like a lot of thought has gone into it and the casting. I like that the females casted were all auditioned fairly and based on their skills. It seems there is a lot of passion and art in this film 🙂

  3. I think you are right, this movie might be targetted to an older audience. I’m nearly 40 and feel very intrigued by your review. The cultural revolution period was very confusing for most people so I suppose the lack of focus is just kind of following that “confusion pattern”?

  4. I would love to see this Tiffany. The trailer gave me goosebumps and I just have this thign for movies where there’s lots of dancing and she dances with so much passion.

  5. Love this preview, I heard all the ladies dancers are hand pick with no make up on during the audition, strict requirement and no plastic, 100% natural beauty. One of the main dancer also has difficulty dancing on high altitude in the mountain area due to lack of air. Thank for including the preview youtube also. I am going to catch it for sure. Love to see how army life was like in China back in the old days.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.