Sentimental animal

by Wu Quan
China, 2011


from IFFR site:
Mysterious, oppressive and occasionally shocking film in stylised black-and-white (shot by a colleague director Zhang Yuedong) about the latter days of a potentate: Wu Ye was a respected soldier, but his clan is now preparing a Last Supper for the Spring Festival.

The fact that there are now signs of growing diversity in style, theme and approach in Chinese independent fiction film is clear from the first film by the versatile Wu Quan. In contrasty, very sharp black-and-white (shot by cameraman Zhang Yuedong, who directed the minimalist-absurdist Mid-Afternoon Barks), Sentimental Animal is a meticulously styled, occasionally sensitive and sometimes shocking allegory that will not easily be forgotten.
Wu has made a film about the latter days of a Chinese patriarch. This former soldier and owner of the fish farm where the events take place became physically handicapped after a heroic deed. Although he can no longer speak and needs help from his nurse for virtually all his actions, he is still the respected leader of his clan. But now he is approaching his end and takes on his last, difficult task.


my thoughts:
The film starts off with a man lying on a bed with a tear rolling down his cheek. We don't know yet what is happening. It was an intriguing shot though, as are many others to follow. 


The filmmaker didn't use a real script, they had one but eventually decided not to use it after all.   They decided to follow the flow.


Warning: Not for sentimental animal lovers, the film starts off with killing a donkey. All the way. But that happens in a lot of Chinese films. 
It turns out that the donkey is meant for the new year's meal they will have together. A pre-new year's party because they will all go to their hometowns for Chinese New Year's.
It is a new year's party as well as birthday party for Wu Ye, a former soldier still admired by his people. He's seriously ill and this could be the last meal together. He does have more power in himself than everyone thinks though. 


I liked the setting of this film: the fish farm looks like a green/glass house and they all live inside. At night it gives a great shot. 
The film definitely is oppressive but I didn't think it was too shocking. I found it remarkable that in this film there were two men with disabilities. For a longer time they were considered 'useless' in Chinese society, in this film you will see a great form of respect towards both. 


I have been watching quite some films in black and white in this film festival for some reason (and sometimes I didn't even notice, I guess that tells you something about the film, right). For this film there wasn't any other than a budget reason to choose for black and white. It does suit the film. It even makes it a bit more mysterious.

The title has no specific meaning but does refer to the donkeys of the start of the film, the fish from the fish farm and people as they can be the worst of animals... 

Interesting film quote:
"This is my heart on a plate" (plate = empty)