The Orphan of Anyang

  • 84'
  • China
  • 2001
The Orphan of Anyang was one of the most pleasant surprises of the last Quinzaine des réalisateurs in Cannes. Practically from nowhere, with a film that was only completed at the last moment (in a Dutch film lab), Wang, the former assistant to Chen Kaige, is completely convincing with a gripping story.The film is set in the old Chinese city of Anyang in Henan province. A desperate prostitute from Manchuria in North East China leaves her newly born baby because she can no longer care for it. A factory worker who has just been sacked decides to look after the child, because of the few cents of child support that the mother promises him. Yet slowly something like a family emerges. A local pimp, who thinks he is probably the child's father, displays an interest in the child when he hears that he himself has an incurable disease.Wang shot this realistic and moving story about the seamy side of Chinese society `in change' according to the all too true cliché in beautiful long takes that are incredibly exciting. In his talent for composition, the use of amateur actors and the unusual soundtrack, Wang reveals his kinship to the cinema of Robert Bresson, Darezhan Omirbaev and Roberto Rossellini.
Director
Wang Chao
Country of production
China
Year
2001
Festival Edition
IFFR 2002
Length
84'
Medium
35mm
Original title
An yang ying er
Language
Farsi
Producers
Independent Producer, Fang Li
Sales
Independent Producer
Screenplay
Wang Chao
Editor
Wang Chao
Production Design
Wang Chao
Sound Design
Wang Yu
Cast
Zhu Jie
Director
Wang Chao
Country of production
China
Year
2001
Festival Edition
IFFR 2002
Length
84'
Medium
35mm
Original title
An yang ying er
Language
Farsi
Producers
Independent Producer, Fang Li
Sales
Independent Producer
Screenplay
Wang Chao
Editor
Wang Chao
Production Design
Wang Chao
Sound Design
Wang Yu
Cast
Zhu Jie