Platform (2000) by Jia Zhangke — Movie Discussion

One of the first masterpieces of 21st century cinema, Jia Zhangke’s sophomore feature is an at once epic and intimate chronicle of China’s radical transformation in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. Unfolding between 1979 and 1990 in dusty, inland Shanxi province, Platform centers around a provincial theater troupe who go from performing Maoist propaganda as the Fenyang Peasant Culture Group to playing western-influenced pop music as the All-Star Rock and Breakdance Electronic Band — along the way finding themselves increasingly adrift in a society suspended between the revolutionary disasters of the Maoist era and the dislocations of rapid market-driven development. Platform was critically acclaimed at film festivals worldwide but did not have a public release in China due to its being made outside of official state approval.

"Creates a vivid sense of what it's like to be on the remote fringes of a great state experiment." (Toronto Star)

"With its long, patient scenes, Jia's film captures the sleepy rhythms of this town and the confusion of these young people who are constrained by forces far beyond their ken." (Rotten Tomatoes)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's discuss Platform (2000). written and directed by the acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke, recently voted the 290th greatest movie of all time in Sight & Sound's international survey of filmmakers. The film was also voted the 2nd best film of the 2000s at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009.

Contrary to an older generation of Chinese filmmakers who presented romanticized or idealized visions of Chinese culture and society, Jia's work favors a more nuanced, realistic style that focuses on the actual lives of ordinary, often overlooked, people. In 2015 Jia was awarded the Carrosse d'Or lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival. He cites the filmmakers Hou Hsiao-hsien and Yasujirō Ozu as major influences.

Please watch the movie in advance. Bring your thoughts, reactions, and queries about the movie to share with us at the meeting.

You can stream it here (video quality can be adjusted in the player settings) or rent it on various platforms online (for best quality.) UPDATE: This version here seems to have much better subtitles (e.g. the jokes actually make sense) but you decide! The video also looks a little different though I can't quite decide which is better.

Check out other film discussions in the group every Friday and occasionally other days.