movie review USC-China 08 summer

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Movie Review
I have to admit that I am soft hearted when movies portray real life and “Not One Less” made me cry. This is a movie about a 13 year old girl that is hired as a substitute teacher because the teacher’s mother is ill and he has to go help her for a month. I am always amazed about people who rise to a situation, that no matter how bad it gets rise to a higher level to help others. How this young lady of 13 had the power and strength to not only teach students almost as old as herself but also leave her comfort zone of a small dirt road village, to go to a large city and find “one” student who was not exactly the best student in her class. She had the strength to find her voice on the local TV station and get her student back. The best component of this film was that the actors where not actors and this was their very first time in front of the camera. It was absolutely wonderful. If you get a chance rent this movie. “Not One Less” I think you will be happy that you spent that your time watching this true story. Neumann

[email protected][Edit by="sneumann on Aug 13, 9:27:25 AM"]I have down loaded pictures on Flickr Under my e-mail, see above. I will be editing them and if you would like any let me know I will e-mail them to you.[/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Not One Lesshas two great aspects which might go un-noticed by the amateur film reviewer. The first aspect to note is that the film is a small budget,low key film directed by Zhang Yimou and the second point to remember is it is based on a true story. The message from the story line is memorable, but I think of equal importance is that the director ( who can direct 2008 soldiers to drum) can also direct a smaller group of everyday people with no acting experience. The film also leaves room for debate, as the phrase "not one less" refers to the student who left the group in search of work, but also allows for the one student who left the school with her parents. The story revolves around a small village teenager (13) who is hired to be a substitute teacher in a neighboring town for one month. She lives at the school site and has minimal supplies ( i.e. one piece of chalk per day and a book to put sentences on the board for students to copy). If she can control the students and not lose one, she is to be paid 50 yuan plus 10 more. As with many substitute teachers, she has the initial growing pains of no control over students talking and fighting and a lack of respect for her.She handles it differently that what we would see.....she goes outside the room, closes the door, and sits on the step. After befriending one student, the others slowly begin to treat her as their teacher. She shows amazing patience. Our young heroine learns early on that it is "harder to keep the students in school" than to teach them. When one (problem) boy leaves the school to look for work in the big city, she makes a decision to leave her position to go to the city and find him, as well as bring him back. We're left to wonder is she going after the missing one so she can get paid, or is she genuinely concerned for his welfare.After days of endless searching and quick thinking in several situations, she is able to go onto a local news talk-show and make a plea for the missing boy to meet her and return. The close up shot of her, and her difficulty finding the right words, is touching...to us in the audience, as well as the missing child. The film also gives some insight into the small, poor, rural china and its people. It is definately worth renting, and one you will remember.[Edit by="sspringer on Sep 2, 8:58:04 PM"]It is most suitable for grade 9 and up. It lends itself to discussion and lessons about putting others ahead of your own and never giving up.[/Edit]

[Anonymous]

The film Not One Less was a powerful film. At first I seriously doubted the idea that Zhang Yimou had not to use any professional (or otherwise) actors in this film. I'm really glad I did not share that thought with the class before I watched the film. I guess the idea of a film is to tell a story and in this case the story could not have been told any better by any high paid actor. In the film a teenage girl is subbing, as I have, for a month while the teacher is on bereavement leave. It turns out that the girl is not the greatest teacher in classroom terms, but that type of teaching quickly becomes secondary. She eventually becomes someone who changes peoples' lives by showing great fortitude and persistence on a level I have never before seen. The story has some scenes that are tearjerkers, and others that are heartbreaking, and still others that are humorous. I think this is a great film for students and teachers of all ages. Zhang Yimou showed me a side of Chinese people that I would never have dreamed of. When the station director shows enormous compassion for the child and when the anchorwoman speaks with eloquence in a difficult situation (on the air) are two incredible scenes that come to mind. I look forward to watching the film again and sharing it with others.

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