View source for The Bird People in China

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A touching exploration of humanity and technology, directed by Japanese filmmaker [[Takashi Miike]]; better known for [[Gorn]] than his often complex philosophical dramas. 

Japanese businessman Wada is sent to a remote village in China to assess the value of a jade deposit.  Enforcer Ujiie joins him to make sure that the [[Yakuza]] get their cut as payment for debts owned by Wada's employers.  After a long and difficult journey together, the arrive at the village, whose odd inhabitants believe they can fly.

''[[The Bird People in China]]'' is completely different from the vast majority of Miike's productions, being a thoughtful, philosophical examination of the effects of technology and modern society, and attitudes about progress and development.  Unlike most such films, this is not an [[Author Tract]], being more interested in the complexities and ambiguities of the questions, than in providing any simple answers.

{{tropelist}}
* [[Author Tract]]: Completely averted.  Miike is more interest in exploring the complex interrelationships and conflicts in his subjects, than in trying to provide any answers to their problems.
* [[Clap Your Hands If You Believe]]: The villagers believe that they possess the ability to fly.  Subverted, in that they're never shown to actually accomplish such a feat.  Near the end of the movie, Wada and Ujiie attempt it  {{spoiler|with predictably painful, though fortunately not fatal, results}}.
* [[Odd Friendship]]: Reserved, logical, introverted salaryman Wada; and brash, loud, violent ganster Ujiie.  
* [[Road Movie]]: The first half of the movie plays like this, with a considerable amount of character development occuring during the trip.
* [[Rule of Symbolism]]: The flying people and their village, as a metaphor for Wada and Ujiie's inner conflicts.
* [[Scenery Porn]]: The village is nestled among breathtakingly beautiful mountain terrain, which the camera work takes great pains to portray to its fullest.

{{reflist}}
[[Category:Japanese Films]]
[[Category:Takashi Miike]]
[[Category:The Bird People in China]]
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