The story tells of a Japanese businessman, who is sent to assess some gems in a remote Chinese village, and a member of the yakuza, who is accompanying him to make sure his organization gets its proper share. The scenery of China is something not usually explored in Japanese film and thus was a massive change of pace for Miike, and a far cry from the recurrent themes of violence and sexuality present in his other films. Chinese locations in the movie include Dali City, Yunnan, the city characters enter through a stone arched gate and the Nujiang River, where they see people riding pulleys on steel cables over the water. Edit Translation
- English
- Français
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- dansk
- Native Title: 中国の鳥人
- Also Known As: Chugoku no chojin
- Director: Miike Takashi
- Screenwriter: Nakamura Masaru
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Cast & Credits
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![Ishibashi Renji in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)]( "Ishibashi Renji in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)")
Ishibashi RenjiUjiie (Yakuza)Main Role -
![Motoki Masahiro in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)]( "Motoki Masahiro in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)")
Motoki MasahiroWada [Businessman]Main Role -
![Kichise Michiko in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)]( "Kichise Michiko in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)")
Kichise Michiko Support Role -
![Shinra Manzo in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)]( "Shinra Manzo in The Bird People in China Japanese Movie (1998)")
Shinra Manzo Unknown
Photos
Reviews
This review may contain spoilers
An Interesting Message on Society
The story takes place in China and it's about two people on a trip to assess gems who find themselves in a very remote place of China that is very cut off from modern civilization. People there live a very agrarian and secluded life and our two protagonists find themselves entranced by the serenity and beauty of the seclusion. Rather than about gems, the story is more about this village that the two protagonists stumble into when they got lost midway during their trip.The characters and story are very interesting: the two characters lead different lives (one's a typical white-collar and the other's a mafia member). While both of them are attached to the peacefulness of being so far away from civilization, the degree of attachment is different between them. The white-collar appreciates the peace but he finds himself missing the company and the busyness of society. On the other hand, the mafia who has faced violence and blood his entire life would rather stay here secluded forever from society than go back to the gruesome life he used to live.
The film is refreshing, aesthetic, and at times humorous; however, near the end, the brightness and hopefulness become a bit pitiful and dark because of the mafia's desperation to stay and protect the place.
The ending to me was a bit confusing. I had to actually think over it a little bit before I understood why what happened happened. But overall, it was a really stunning film, both in terms of the scenery and the story delivered.
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