Shower (1999)

Original title

洗澡

Directed by

Zhang Yang

Genre

comedy film, comedy drama

Country

People's Republic of China

Runtime

1h 32m

Rated

PG-13

Rating

6.8 of 10 from 73 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

An aging father and his younger developmentally disabled son run a traditional bathhouse in Beijing. The elder son, who left years earlier to make money in Shenzhen, returns home and reconnects with his family and their way of life.

gentlewarmnostalgichumoroustenderslow-pacedslice-of-lifesentimental

What happens

Shower (Chinese: 洗澡; pinyin: Xǐ zǎo) is a 1999 Chinese comedy-drama film directed by Zhang Yang and starring Zhu Xu, Pu Cunxin and Jiang Wu. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 14 September 1999 and won the FIPRESCI Prize. Though only the second directorial work by Zhang and the third production of Imar Film, Shower was selected for numerous film festivals, including San Sebastian Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Seattle International Film Festival, where it received many awards. Written by Zhang and a team of young scriptwriters, the film revolves around a family-run bathhouse in Beijing. An aged father and his younger, mentally challenged son have been working hard every day to keep the bathhouse running for a motley group of regular customers. When his elder son, who left years ago to seek his fortune in the southern city of Shenzhen, abruptly returns one day, it once again puts under stress the long-broken father-son ties. Presented as a light-hearted comedy, Shower explores the value of family, friendship, and tradition. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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