Set in the People's Republic of China during the 1990s, the film centers on a 13-year-old substitute teacher, Wei Minzhi, in the Chinese countryside. Called in to substitute for a village teacher for one month, Wei is told not to lose any students.
Direction
Zhang Yimou cast non-actors with their real names—chaotic genius.
Writing
A promise over chalk becomes an odyssey through modern China.
Cinematography
Dusty mountains vs. gray city sprawl—two Chinas, one lens.
Director
Zhang Yimou
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
CN
