Full River Red (4 Stars)

Amazon Friday #42

I'm always excited when there's a new film directed by Zhang Yimou. He's one of my favourite directors, alongside Sion Sono and Alex de la Iglesia. It's difficult for me to put the three directors in order. Note that none of the directors are English or American. I'd put Quentin Tarantino in fourth place. However, my pleasure at seeing a new Zhang Yimou film is tarnished by it only being available for streaming, not for purchase. I hope this error will be put right soon.

The film takes place in 1146. It begins with a meeting between the prime minister of the Song Dynasty and a delegation from the Jin Dynasty. The ambassador from Jin is found murdered. The Song soldiers who were guarding him are executed, with the exception of Zhang Da. His execution is delayed, because his uncle Sun Jun is the deputy commander of the guards. Zhang Da says that he knows of a letter that the ambassador intended to give the prime minister, and he suggests that the letter's contents were the reason for the assassination. The prime minister gives Zhang Da two hours to find the letter. If he fails, he'll be executed.

The film turns into a complex mystery, revealing one conspiracy after another. In essence, it's a 12th Century courtroom drama, except the investigations aren't carried out in a closed room, but on the streets of the city. In the course of the film Sun Jun is arrested and released, promoted to head of the guards, then arrested and released again.

The film's title comes from the last words spoken by the general Yue Fei before he was executed four years previously. Only the prime minister heard the words, but he refuses to tell anyone what they were. These words were the poem "Full River Red", supposed the most famous poem in China, taught to children in elementary school.

My hair stands on end with anger, and as I lean over the railing, the rain has stopped.
I raise my eyes, let out a long cry to the heavens, my heart aching with fervour.
Thirty years of fame and glory have become dust and dirt,
Eight thousand miles of journey have become clouds and moon.
Don't let your youth become old in vain, filled with empty sorrow.
The shame of Jingkang remains;
When will the hatred of our subjects be extinguished?
Let us ride our chariots through the gap in the Helan Mountains!
We'll feast on the flesh of barbarians when hungry, and we'll drink the blood of Xiongnu when thirsty.
We'll rebuild our old country and face the heavens.

All I can say about the poem is that it seems very extreme to be taught to young children. It must be somehow linked to Chinese pride. Does modern day China trace its roots to the Song Dynasty? I'd be glad if any of my Chinese readers can answer this question. That's what the comments box is for.