Dooman River (.com Exclusive) Writer-director Zhang Lu's fascinating window into a rarely seen corner of rural China revolves around 12-year-old Chang-ho, living with his grandfather and mute sister along the frozen river-border with North Korea. Although fraught with unemployment and other tensions, his community seems sympathetic toward the Korean refugees fleeing famine and misery; Chang-ho even bonds over soccer with one young border-crosser who comes scavenging food for a sibling. But he soon turns on his new friend as suspicions mount against the illegal immigrants and his sister reels from unexpected aggression, provoking a quandary over his loyalties in an exquisitely detailed story of compassion and strife across an uneasy geopolitical border. "…it's rare to find a film the blends the talent of several different nations. But just as the real-life Dooman River bridges the gap between China and North Korea, the film revolving around the well-known landmark merges the talent of both countries to tell a story centered in one of the most dangerous immigration zones in the world."-Asian Movie Pulse "A must see." -YNot at the Movies Dooman River is an official selection of the prestigious, award-winning Global Lens Collection presented by the Global Film Initiative. Korean and Mandarin with English subtitles.
C**N
Quiet film about both the tenuousness and tenacity of human nature in stark environments
The shots are beautiful in their own way, the lower quality of the camera suits the story and the environment well. You see a family that is trusting (more so has a sense of duty to do what they can for others) and cares for each other in their own ways. On the surface there seems to be an implicit understanding between the village folk of the environment they are in and the assumption that everyone is just "making do", this understanding at first seems to be extended to their Northern neighbors as well until their ability to "make do" is put into jeopardy by their generosity. Eventually the stream of refugees begins to be too much and the brutality that is necessary to survive on both sides clashes. The last few scenes show how much humanity is required to be given up in these situations but also how much it can still shine through and how difficult and frustrating this balance can be and the psychological toll this requirement of balance can take.This is an extremely quiet film, ironically or maybe on purpose it almost seems to me as if the mute girl speaks more throughout the film through sign than most of the others do. The film never quite "picks up the pace" the way you would expect it to. It appears to be a pretty experimental film and the french influence is pretty easily felt throughout. There are definitely better films about DPRK/international interactions both fiction and non. There are definitely funnier films, more exciting films, even more poignant ones. Regardless, this film does an excellent job of telling a different side of the DPRK story, that of those in freer lands living very similar lives to their Northern neighbors where the pressures of the environment are extremely similar in nature. It tells a new story in a new way with few words and little budget. For that reason, if you really enjoy learning about that region of DPRK or China I would say to watch it. If you have a passing interest in the DPRK, I'd say you could easily skip this and not miss out on learning anything shocking. The biggest shock was learning there is a Korean Autonomous Prefecture and this helped to put into perspective the new (as of October 2020) contingent of "Storm Corps" that has been issued to the Sino-DPRK border area [source NK Daily] and just what some of that area might look like from the other side of the Tumen.
P**M
Tragic story of simplle North Korean and Chinese people trying to live along the Tumen River border region.
Tragic portrayal of the lives of mixed nationalities and mixed heritage in the cross-border region of the Tumen River in northern North Korea and China.DO NOT ANTICIPATE OR MAKE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT THIS MOVIE.This is a beautifully made movie, with tender and touching sentiments expressed throughout, as well as the brutal starkness of the region and the simple lives lived by people of all ages.The tragic human condition is shown here, in all its manifest ugliness.The pain of political suffering is shown in the expressions of violence and revenge, and in the morbid behavior of those trying to escape or avoid it.This should be a must-see for students of the North Korean condition, as much is shown in the way of the Chinese who live with NK refugee behavior along the river border.Touching, poignant, painful, sad - exquisite.
C**K
just so so
i guess i had a much expectation for this movie but it was not turn out to be. the movie shows to many blank picuturesto show deserted and isolated place but i think it was over done.
N**5
Sad, reality of the bitter war that has even ...
Sad, reality of the bitter war that has even affected the children. The different effects the war has caused.
M**N
Accept the film maker's different sensibilities and it's a better than average film
Bleak. Accept the film maker's different sensibilities and it's a better than average film.
M**D
Hypnotizing wintry saga about empathy and self-sacrifice
Frosty parable about hunger and habitat along a scenic transit point between North Korea and China.
B**S
One Star
Terrible
