To Live (Huozhe) (1994)

87% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
95% of users liked it
(7,016 ratings)

Zhang Yimou, often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker, directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes, set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose… More Zhang Yimou, often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker, directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes, set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er (Ni Dabong). Fugui's wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) abandons him, and he finds himself working as a peddler, until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer; while on the road, he is arrested by Nationalist forces, until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions, and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift, Fugui vows to change his ways, and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner, and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards, Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past, as well as Zhang Yimou's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment, he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Yimou Zhang
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 18, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jul 1, 2003
Studio: Hallmark Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It rushes through history as if it were firemen rushing to a fire.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Acompanhar a conturbada vida política chinesa entre as décadas de 40 e 70 através de uma perspectiva intimista é uma idéia inteligente e promissora. Infelizmente, parte da força se perde em função do roteiro excessivamente melodramático.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
As is typical with Zhang's films, this one is gripping and leaves you with admiration for the brave souls who survive under totalitarian rule.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Presents a sober view of Chinese life where the destinies of individuals are determined by forces beyond their control.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
I have never seen a more anti-Communist movie. The horrors of this ideology were everywhere.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

This was really good. Li Gong is recognizable from Hero (she's actually been in a lot of things). The scenes of mourning are painful to watch, because it is so real and honest. If you enjoyed other works by this director, (Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of The Golden… More
This was really good. Li Gong is recognizable from Hero (she's actually been in a lot of things). The scenes of mourning are painful to watch, because it is so real and honest. If you enjoyed other works by this director, (Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Curse of The Golden Flower being the most famous) you will probably enjoy this....no martial arts, however. This is a moving drama with some interesting history. Well done film.
Lanning :

I think it's safe to say that this is no love letter from Zhang Yimou to Chairman Mao. Any time any means of artistic expression must be destroyed, as with the burning of the puppets, you can be sure that the film, itself a form of artistic expression, is not making a positive… More
I think it's safe to say that this is no love letter from Zhang Yimou to Chairman Mao. Any time any means of artistic expression must be destroyed, as with the burning of the puppets, you can be sure that the film, itself a form of artistic expression, is not making a positive statement. An unrelenting look at the ravages of political change in China from the 1940s through the 60s, focusing particularly on one extremely unfortunate, yet in some ways extremely lucky family, if simply surviving equals good fortune. If you're a Li Gong or You Ge fan, you won't want to miss this one.
Walter M

[color=red]"To Live" is an emotionally powerful epic about a family living in China from the 1940's to the Cultural Revolution of the 1960's. I felt like this movie gave me the most realistic impression of living under Mao Zedong during this tumultuous period of… More
[color=red]"To Live" is an emotionally powerful epic about a family living in China from the 1940's to the Cultural Revolution of the 1960's. I felt like this movie gave me the most realistic impression of living under Mao Zedong during this tumultuous period of time.[/color]
Andrew F

An awesome foreign language movie that I watched in a history class.
Daisy M

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.tinypic.com/27yrew0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> To Live was my fourth movie that I have seen from this excellent… More
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.tinypic.com/27yrew0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> To Live was my fourth movie that I have seen from this excellent Chinese director Yimou Zhang.It was beautiful and so real and heartbreaking at times, you could feel the pain of the lead characters. Yimou traveled the viewer through three decades in the movie making us understand the people, their tragedy, respect, and adoration for the Communist. Gong Li was beautiful and I have seen her in the other movies of this same director. The movie was about this family going through life, surviving tragedies but they continue 'Living', That was the beauty of the film.
Leo L

Phenomenal! Great story plot that is ultimately endearing. The story centralizes on the ups and downs of a Chinese family. This is one of my absolute favorites among Yimou Zhang's movies. Great performance by Li Gong. Definitely worthy.