Creditors belligerently knock on the door every day it seems, demanding payment. Derek Tsang, who is the son of HK actor and producer Eric Tsang, has a feeling for his young protags that smooths over some narrative awkwardness. With Dongyu Zhou, Jackson Yee, Fang Yin, Ye Zhou. Bullying and suicide are two evidently known issues that don’t only plague the U.S. territory; it’s a ubiquitous issue that affects the world, letting those on the edge slip through the cracks because of societal abandonment. Massive spoilers ahead. It also points an accusing finger at the extraordinary pressure that high school students are under to score high on the Chinese equivalent of SAT tests and get into universities that count. A bully’s parent/guardian, or even a victim’s parent/guardian, may misprize the effect of bullying on both parties, chiefly because education (more precisely, the NCEE) is treated with the most significance. | California Privacy Rights For high school senior Chen Nian (. When it comes to school bullying, the consequences are unregulated, likely resulting in self-blame, self-hate, acts of violence, including suicide. She is waylaid after school on her long trudge home by three girls who wear malice on their faces. Tsang can’t quite settle on an ending here, offering up about 3 or 4 endpoints, most of which are very good and then goes one big step too far in the final moments when Better Days becomes a full-blown to-the-camera PSA for anti-bullying. A victim of unabating abuse helmed by Wei Lai (a relentlessly and effectively cruel Ye Zhou), Hu is the sufferer of one final mortification as her classmates gather around her body, taking photos and posting them online, broadcasting the tragedy to the world as hopeless bystanders who let the bullies’ unspoken dominance run unchecked. From the award-winning team of Soul Mate, comes a new Chinese drama movie by Derek Kwok-Cheung Tsang, starring Jackson Yee and Zhou Dongyu. The sons of Ragnar Lothbrok fulfill their father's dreams in different ways in the Vikings series finale. Fandango FANALERT® Sign up for a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area. “Better Days” is handsomely shot and has an affecting piano and orchestral score, but that beauty can’t cover the ugliness Tsang is exposing of bullying, in general, and of this element of Chinese society, in particular. Wrestling with her friend’s tragic death and how she never intervened to halt the bullying, Chen Nian isn’t given the chance to voice her heartache and frustration. Minutes later, Hu leaps off the school’s second story, accepting the unknown than enduring the ill-treatment of her peers. The ending of Twin Peaks: The Return has been confirmed in Mark Frost’s new book, which ended with Agent Dale Cooper and Laura Palmer. But exquisitely acted by Zhou Dongyu and beautifully shot, Derek Tsang’s stark film doesn’t hide the brutality of bullying. Her mother, loving yet awfully starry-eyed, frequently overestimates her daughter’s ability to live without a present mother and financial stability. After seven years on TV and a saga that has spanned decades, … A popular song by Blink-182 describing a young boy’s suicide note. Word is that the film showed Chinese society in too negative a light; perhaps that is why narrative around legal improvements has been added at the end. All I have for you is a word. It’s suitable that Xiao Bei lives in the underworld. At the end of Wolverine goes to Japan, he lost the metal claws. The editing is a bit hurried, especially when the quieter scenes between Chen and Xiao need more screentime to garner more impact. See also: Best Skills to Get First Spoiler Warning: Very light gameplay spoilers ahead. Officially approved a theatrical run in China that started October 25, it wasn’t long until, is a harrowing and soul-stirring drama that does naturally bear political vim and importance. Ratings: 9.1/10 from 2,772 users # of Watchers: … Sign up to get our cinematic goodness delivered to your … Here's a breakdown of the emotional ending. Unfortunately, she’s being raised by a single mom who loves her but makes her living selling illegal goods. ENTER CITY, STATE OR ZIP CODE GO. In One Night in Miami, the film directed by Regina King and adapted from Kemp Powers's play of the same name, a long evening in a hotel room between four Black men sets the stage for a … ET . Suddenly, a burnt and deformed dead body is unearthed near a construction site, and the second half sprinkles in a mystery that’ll inevitably cause Chen and Xiao’s romance to implode. Sitemap | The editing is a bit hurried, especially when the quieter scenes between Chen and Xiao need more screentime to garner more impact. When Xiao Bei is tied up in a precariously violent scenario, unable to follow Chen to sustain her safety, she’s viciously ambushed by Wei Lai and her tractable compeers. Any political or social statement made this overtly doesn’t belong in a movie like this. While some of, previous roles were dramatic, existing solely in the realm of coming-of-age dramas and breezy rom-coms (. The Legend of Korra finale is a powerful ending for the show's main story arc.The series concluded its four-season run in 2014, acting as a sequel series to Avatar: The Last Airbender while presenting very different thematic elements from the children's show. Original is a perfect word to describe The Lobster: it’s set in a dystopian society in which being single is against the law.People who become single are sent to a hotel … Even though the video gets posted online, Nian admirably refuses to give up her dreams and goes to class with shaven head held high. For nearly ten million high school students, this exam not only determines where and if they get to study but the fates of their entire families as well. Watch Trailer. In One Night in Miami, the film directed by Regina King and adapted from Kemp Powers's play of the same name, a long evening in a hotel room between four Black men sets the stage for a … Better Days received a theatrical release in China on October 25, 2019. Detective Zheng Yi (a frustratingly righteous Fang Yin) arrives on-scene to question students, including Chen Nian, but he’s unable to acquire a clear-cut answer to Hu’s suicide at the moment. Complete your Melissa Manchester collection. What did you think about its portrayal of bullying? One of the more effective moments is when Xiao Bei is compelled to fight other thugs, which is occurring concurrently with Chen, who is being assaulted by Wei Lai; it’s by far one of the most unnerving moments in cinema this year. And one test will measure the value of your life onwards from youth, so no pressure. Strangely enough, Dongyu exudes paltry emotion, perhaps as a coping mechanism to deal with her friend’s sudden death, or panic when cornered by Wei Lai. Better Days is also helped out by having a strong performance from both of the leads. TWITTER Internet lore says that friend-Magneto puts them in there, kinda like the reverse process of ripping all the metal out in the comics. There was nothing too fancy or over the top about it. Approved third parties also use these tools in connection with … Truthfully, societal and parental neglect are unyielding entities that have a major (or minor) influence on a person’s state of mind or perspective on things. It isn’t until Xiao Bei enters Chen Nian’s life that she experiences a sense of safety — and before we know it, two broken souls conflate into a doomed romance. Andrew Stover is a film critic/writer from the Chicagoland. Xiao Bei sees the grisly aftermath — a battered, exposed and shaved Chen — and he’s fueled by rancor and woe, itching to react out of savagery, but Chen stops him in his tracks (or maybe not). Xiao Bei enters Chen Nian’s life that she experiences a sense of safety. As Chen Nian and Xiao Bei’s incipient relationship continues to prosper, and emotional truths are revealed, the film hinges on the trauma of school bullying and other forms of abuse both parties suffer from. One factor had to do with, brutal depiction of bullying, and another factor happened to do with the underscoring of the ‘gaokao’, China’s taxing national university entrance exam, which concurred with the planned release date. That's the power of that ending. Production companies: Goodfellas Pictures, Fat Kids Productions As the torment escalates, amplified by social media, Nian panics, fearing she’ll lose her concentration for the big exam. Article continues below advertisement. Report. The Chinese internet is currently abuzz with news of a long-awaited, long-delayed release dropping on October 25. If only this dispiriting suicide finally impelled school officials to crack down on the matter of bullying, but, “gaokao” remains at the utmost importance. Tsang applies more and more setbacks to these unsettled teens until any sign of happiness is apparently gone, but then the glistening light eventually breaches through. Her mother, loving yet awfully starry-eyed, frequently overestimates her daughter’s ability to live without a present mother and financial stability. If only this dispiriting suicide finally impelled school officials to crack down on the matter of bullying, but “gaokao” remains at the utmost importance. Verbally pushed by her authoritarian teachers to master the test to accomplish long-time success, it gets worse for Chen Nian when she becomes the next victim of bullying. RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE S13E5 “The Bag Ball”: Drama In The Workroom Ups The Ante – But Is The Fandom Ruining It? Bodyguard on BBC ending explained: What happened at the end of Bodyguard? In a later scene, Xiao Bei looks to make amends with Chen Nian, fixing her phone and giving her money back that the men stole. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. A brighter future relies on Chen Nian getting an outstanding score on the. © 2021 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Read More. She trudges closer to the unseen aftermath of Hu, laying under a jacket to mask the gore of Hu’s lifeless body, and Chen Nian’s forlorn eyes emanate so much heartbreak. At the beginning of Days of Future past he has them again. Attempting to call the police, the group of men stops her in her tracks and begins to taunt her, coercing her to kiss Xiao Bei. When it comes to school bullying, the consequences are unregulated, likely resulting in self-blame, self-hate, acts of violence, including suicide. The body on the other side of the locked gate in the pit is Neil, but another Neil — we know because of the red string (which we can only assume is … A hard-hitting drama about bullying slips into melodrama. The suicide alone is disheartening, but Chen Nian’s genuine act of altruism countervails the public’s barefaced intrusiveness. The film begins with a calculated suicide, orchestrated by a reserved student named Hu. The “gaokao” is getting closer and closer, and she’s now subjected to Wei Lai’s abuse —principally because she’s afraid that Chen Nian may tell the police that she’s the prime culprit in Hu’s death. This subfusc tale gets even bleaker when the bystander becomes the victim. By Hannah Shaw-Williams Jan 05, 2021. But exquisitely acted by. Xiao Bei becomes Chen Nian’s bodyguard, furtively lurking behind Chen Nian on her way to and from school to protect her from the implacable bullies. Attempting to call the police, the group of men stops her in her tracks and begins to taunt her, coercing her to kiss Xiao Bei. Become a Member and support film journalism. Hopefully, home can serve as a sturdy haven, free from any arm-twisting bullies and pervaded with love and security. Shop Better Days & Happy Ending. Minutes later, Hu leaps off the school’s second story, accepting the unknown than enduring the ill-treatment of her peers. The suicide alone is disheartening, but Chen Nian’s genuine act of altruism countervails the public’s barefaced intrusiveness. Directed by Derek Tsang. Strangely enough. 20/09/2018 Lionsgate. Alternative ending version. In the wake of the ongoing protests around the … ), an impecunious dropout, currently being beaten up by a ruthless group of men. The decentralized activist hacker group known as Anonymous is back online, sharing their support for the ongoing protests after the senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. is a mostly earnest drama that plods through bullying, academic stress, murder and tragedy, retaining a fittingly bleak and dolorous tone. Serious student Chen Nian (Zhou Dongyu) comes from the poor side of town, where creditors hound her edge-of-the-law single mom. Bullying and growing up are two occasionally parallel topics that generate a lot of emotional resonance with the audience. But now, Better Days is set to hit cinema screens in China this week, four months on from its originally-announced release date. The 2015 Blu-ray release offers the option to watch the film with an alternative ending. The track appears on his album Stories and on his two-track EP Pure Grinding / For a Better Day. Assuming a quiet demeanor, Chen Nian is the only one to inherit the decorum to conceal the body from wide-spread chatter. Let us know in the comments! Whether it be a motorcycle montage that arrives at Xiao’s dingy, hidden apartment, a tense segment of bullying which deftly follows Chen running for dear life, or a shot of intimacy between Chen and Xiao, the camera compliments the emotional freedom Chen and Xiao acquired from their deep-seated connection. If it had accomplished nothing else, "Diabolique" would deserve our affection for two reasons: It contains the original of Peter Falk's TV character Columbo, and it inspired one of the funniest stories in screen history. It was written by Tim Bergling (Avicii) and Alex Ebert. They form an unlikely alliance and Bei agrees to walk Nian to and from school as her unpaid bodyguard. The reality is that students in China may have it worse than their American peers, generally because their parents are mired in jobs that take them far from home, unable to supply any emotional support. © 2020 Film Inquiry. And for good measure, there is a fantasy romance between the proper heroine and a scrappy guttersnipe played by Jackson Yee from the popular boy band TFBoys. Nonetheless, bullying is the central concern that holds the most gravity. Editor: Zhang Yibo Rather, they're … Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more. A music video was produced for the song, which was filmed in Hungary. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing Better Days (2019) near you. For high school senior Chen Nian (Zhou Dongyu), it’s not any different: She’s pulled under the weight of the NCEE (National College Entrance Exam) or “gaokao,” China’s grinding, two-day test that will determine her future. For nearly ten million high school students, this exam not only determines where and if they get to study but … With fearful eyes, demure bearing and blinding impassivity, Zhou Dongyu delivers a riveting lead performance that lures you in with unadorned empathy and desolation. 'Better Days' ('Shao nian de ni'): Film Review. Cast: Zhou Dongyu, Jackson Yee, Yin Fang, Huang Jue, Heliao Luyun, Liu Ran, Luo Junlin, Wu Yue Have you seen Better Days? Director: Derek Kwok Cheung Tsang Starring Zhou Dongyu (of Zhang Yimou’s Under the Hawthorn … Add to List. Shortcomings aside, Chen Nian shouldn’t be a slave to what she didn’t do, even so, she should acknowledge where she went wrong and learn from it. Terms of Use | Regardless, the motif and theme of the movie has to be told one way or another, bullying is perhaps an often forgotten topic in Chinese society, and one that is not always recognized in a country where everything is developing at such a lightning pace. All rights reserved. Better Days is a mostly earnest drama that plods through bullying, academic stress, murder and tragedy, retaining a fittingly bleak and dolorous tone. ~ 2 Peter 3:13 - 14 Better Days Are Coming By And By Better… IGN's Days Gone walkthrough features guides for every main Story Mission and Story Job, plus plenty of optional sidequests, objectives, collectibles, and Meeting eyes with Chen Nian, Xiao Bei is entranced by her vulnerability. Conclusion: Better Days Deserves An Audience. ), it’s not any different: She’s pulled under the weight of the NCEE (National College Entrance Exam) or “gaokao,” China’s grinding, two-day test that will determine her future. In many ways, Better Days is a melodrama, a brazen one for that matter that toys with its topics in a commendable yet scattered manner. This pious act targets her as the bullies’ next victim. It’s a break from their usual light-hearted material, but the end is … But coming into the home stretch, the story disappointingly loses its grip, particularly in a protracted scene of police interrogation. was covertly in progress. Yet the film ends with the good news that the ministry of education has taken strong and effective measures against bullying over the last three years, drastically increasing penalties and punishments in schools. How John Cusack and Ione Skye's real unease helped push the scene to icon status. One supposes the Beijing censors were responsible for canceling the screening in Berlin’s Generation 14Plus section, but it’s hard to tell what might have rubbed them the wrong way. Instead of succumbing to shock value (13 Reasons Why never learned), the outcome of Hu’s irrevocable jump isn’t shown; what is shown is Chen Nian offering her jacket to shroud Hu’s stiff body. Synopsis. However, her stubborn unwillingness to communicate with him is frustrating to watch. Beyond Chen Nian’s glazed face, she carries so much pain within, something Xiao Bei is greatly familiar with. The weighty essence of, drama was going to exhibit graphic bullying; a bulk of most national teen films but manifestly baneful for China’s image. It’s then that she meets Xiao Bei (Yee), a street tough who knows how to take a beating. … Check out the new teaser trailer for Better Days is a film critic/writer from Berlin... Lothbrok fulfill their father 's dreams in different ways in the wake of the HOLLYWOOD better days ending scene explained LLC! The Review bullies and pervaded with love and security tale gets even when. 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