Rent Spring in a Small Town (1948)

Synopsis:

Regarded as the finest work from the first great era of Chinese filmmaking, Fei Mu's quiet, piercingly poignant study of adulterous desire and guilt-ridden despair is a remarkable rediscovery, often compared to David Lean's Brief Encounter. After eight years of marriage to Liyan - once rich but now a shadow of his former self following a long, ruinous war - Yuwen does little except deliver his daily medication. A surprise visit from Liyan's friend Zhang re-energises the household, but also stirs up dangerously suppressed longings and resentments. Director Fei Mu's deft use of locations, dissolves and camera movements makes for a fraught, febrile mood of hesitant passion, entrapment and ennui.

Actors:

Chaoming Cui, Wei Li, Yu Shi, Wei Wei, Hongmei Zhang

Directors:

Mu Fei

Writers:

Tianji Li

Year:

1948

Studio:

BFI Video

Genres:

Classic Dramas, Classic Romance, Period Dramas, Romantic Dramas, Romance

Countries:

China

DVD details

BBFC:

Universal - suitable for all ages

Release Date:

23/02/2015

Run Time:

94 minutes

Aspect Ratio:

Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3

Format:

Pal

Colour:

B & W

Languages:

English, Mandarin

Subtitles:

English

Special features:

• BFI re-release trailer
• A Small Town in China (1933, 9 mins): an intimate portrait of community life in an unidentified Chinese town
• This is China (1946, 9 mins): a fascinating compilation of scenes showing diversity and disparity in 1940s China