The Bird People In China
Synopsis
Wada, a Japanese salary man, is sent by his company to investigate claims of a priceless vein of jade in a small chinese village. On his arrival, Ujjie, a yakuza who is owed by Wada’s company, accosts him and intends to take the debt out of the jade.
Guided by an old Chinese explorer, Shen, who forgets where the village actually is, they set off on an overwhelming adventure that will change their lives forever.
Review
From the superb directing skills of Takashi Miike comes “The Bird People of China,” a true masterpiece. This movie contains a mixture of elements that are essential for any show to be extraordinarily successful and special. Humor, drama, action, mixed with a bit of imagination on both parts (viewer and creator) and an attractive story. As a matter of fact the story pulls you in right from the start as Mr. Wada says one of the most interesting lines I have ever heard. “I’ve slept more than 10,000 times, but I’ve never dreamt of flying like a bird.” I know this line means something, but I just cannot break it down to parts in which I can comprehend. Maybe I am thinking too much of it, but there has got to be a legitimate reason for Miike to input the line in the movie.
For those who are not familiar with Takashi Miike. He directed other works, such as, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. Both are sick, sadistic and gruesome, but The Bird People of China has none of that goriness. This was a side of Miike that was brand new to me. I was conditioned to expect something violent, but instead was given a delightful piece to enjoy.
They moral of the story? I believe it is the fact that you have to attempt to try something, before deeming it an impossible task to do. In the end, dreaming is everything you would want and would like to do in reality. Therefore you cannot dream of flying like a bird, as flying like a bird symbolizes freedom. You as a human being is always locked up by laws and the rules of society. This could be defined by a quote from Jean Jacque Rousseau that goes, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” Hence flying like a bird is the lowest in your priorities. Oh wow, I just broke down the phrase I could not a paragraph or so ago :P.
The Breakdown
The Bird People In China is the best ArtsMagicDVD release so far, keep them coming bud!