According to XiXi, “I think the most important thing to be documented is freedom.” In Fan Wu’s thought-provoking documentary, the protagonist represents creative liberation in its most cathartic form. A free-spirited dancer/performance artist, she finds herself in Berlin where it seems like the best place for her to let her artistic instincts run wild. While Wu (Report) is a Chinese director born and raised in Beijing who lives with his family there still currently working on films about China’s history during different periods such as “Letter from Yangtze River” which tells stories from people living along the river since 1942 until now when it becomes one of world largest industrial zones while another film called “The Last Emperor’s Daughter” shows us how an ordinary man became emperor after overthrowing Qing dynasty government through his daughter who married him at age 12 but later divorced because they were too young then got married again after grown up so this person may be seen also as a Chinese citizen moved abroad because he shares many things with Xixi including their nationality and love towards arts.XiXi thrives as an artist in Berlin where she meets director Fan Wu (Report). Their Chinese roots and artistic natures unite them instantly. As two women exploring outlets for their unique creative spirits, this longitudinal character study is bracing, challenging, and thoughtful.
Wu uses XiXi to track a cultural reckoning for China as it tries to figure out what it means post-communism. Her dance style has more of an European flavor than anything else that could be found anywhere else around Beijing or Shanghai or any other city in mainland China – even Hong Kong SAR too! She dances at clubs, galleries, parties, street corners doing some kind of weird writhing thing which we can only call contemporary dance if you must give it a name but really should just leave alone because either love or hate will not change anything about how we feel towards her.XiXi represents a cultural reckoning for China as it tries to find its place in the post-Communist world, Wu reflects. Her dance style is decidedly European, she performs at clubs, galleries, parties and on street corners where she does an eclectic writhing thing that can only be called contemporary dance love it or leave it.
But you need not like XiXi’s art to understand the story she tells every time her body convulses on stage like a teenage girl possessed during an exorcism. She embodies the conflict between individuality and conformity that occurs when one grows up in a society where they are taught to serve others before thinking of themselves. This may foster community spirit but not necessarily artistic fulfillment, however, these avant garde spaces in Berlin allow personal voices to flourish alongside distinct visions of selfhood outside the Chinese context. In Europe, XiXi feeds off different cultures’ collisions with each other, perspectives clashing against experiences – all united by dance as embodied by this woman who is truly international in nature.
Also being a mother would realize eventually what hurts most about living in society proclaiming individuality but demanding uniformity instead. After some time passes since leaving France upon receiving news from father Nina who claims their daughter needs more attention while mother absent herself often performing abroad then returns back home once visitation granted only receive punishment later moving closer towards French border so could see child frequently but unfortunately finding trouble within custody rights battle where former partner argues unfitness citing bohemian lifestyle brought along with bringing up shared infant resulting infestations which apparently gave lice besides mentioning disapproval over habit frequently dancing half-naked implying bad influence upon upbringing having unleashed desire for self-expression once again haunted by such acts this time around Europe itself according Chinese documentary maker Fan Wu(Report).
Wu follows XiXi through what could be seen as one of her most important dances ever performed on screen the film tracks this moment as she learns how to balance being both a mother and creative bohemian living la vie bohème. XiXi uses Wu(Report) and Nina in order to explore these two different sides of herself; through her relationship with Wu over the years, XiXi gains discipline that would have otherwise been absent within an individual like her who often performs freely without any set plan or framework following when it comes artistic projects but also at times lacks directionality needed for completing works which accurately reflect true selfhood while on other hand their daughter enlightens them about various aspects concerning motherhood such as patience required in raising children well together with sacrifices made by parents towards child upbringing thus making person realize what she wants from life?
Simultaneously, Nina shows XiXi how to shape a teenage girl in a society that motivates her to be the best version of herself. A trip home brings XiXi back to her mother, who struggled with balancing her creative outlet and role as a mother. Both cathartic and awakening, the return home enlightens XiXi on her and Nina’s potential for living lives that she and her own mother never could have imagined 30 years ago in China.
XiXi and Wu exhibit this same kind of reciprocity. The dancer serves as an educator for the filmmaker who witnesses XiXi’s determination to foster and protect her artistic voice. As the production progresses, Wu gradually turns the camera towards herself and learns how to take more risks. Initially using conventional verité-style documentary filmmaking observational footage with a few informal interviews XiXi eventually embraces free-flowing performance pieces. Throughout these years of making the film, one can see Wu becoming a better filmmaker; she learns to trust herself by following XiXi’s lead with her camera. This is one of those documentaries that really challenges the passivity of a film “subject,” because arguably XiXi’s distinct, somewhat abrasive artistic personality contributes more than anything else does to what we might call this movie’s creative vision.
Occasionally empowering XiXi by putting the camera in her hand, Wu makes it into a collaborative piece here, this act gives XiXi both artistry & authority as she “directs” Nina during vérité moments or on phone calls. These interludes thus offer some of teachable moments for Xixi throughout most parts of film while at same time injecting extraordinary sense trust into documentary but not only that; also through them Wu becomes better filmmaker over years long production period just like when ever since then has learned self confidence while following around behind its subject matter (which happens be xi xis) thus far seen! Also another thing I noticed is that through making this movie xi now realizes being artist and mother are not two different things at all.
The feminist lens of the film, combined with its globe-trotting narrative spanning three generations of artists, broadens our understanding about how many hats women wear in society today where still too often male perspective remains status quo, but not here! No no no! This one tells a completely different story.
For More Movies Visit Putlocker.