p.newhouse@talk21.com This film is an allegory for the communist state vs the individual, and for the universal human tale of wanting something then realising its not what it seems. The school is the state, the teachers its agents, and the little boy a free thinking individual who wants to be part of society, but then realises that that particular society has faults that he finds insurmountable. He seeks to set up his own society, of like minded people, hence his relationship with one distinct little girl. The hospital is a place he is drawn to because it is a place where people (psychiatric patients) are treated with the care and consideration he doesn't receive from the teachers at his school, or from his mother, who is another agent of the state (away working for "the ministry" in another city). The hospital, being apparently a psychiatric hospital, is also symbolically a place where people are free to behave differently without being held to account (Note the juxtaposition of the hospital with the regimented troops being made to salute over and over again).

Dan I'm disappointed by all of the previous comments on this film. This film seemed to me to be far more deeply layered and textured than previous writers have given it credit for.Having studied Chinese film (particulary the work of the 5th generation, which this film isn't part of), it's my understanding that Chinese films can't be 'read' in the same way as Western films. Due to censorship in China Chinese directors find different ways of telling stories, more often than not by dressing them up as something else. Therefore I don't believe that this film can be taken at face value. I don't believe this is a film about a small boy being sent to a kindergarten by his father and trying to earn Little Red Flowers. I think an important thing to notice is the way the boy changes. He starts off hating the regime of the school but wanting to fit in, wanting to earn a red flower, but he never does, so he deliberately alienates himself. There are many scenes where he sets himself apart from the group, and he becomes a rebel - he stirs up unrest amongst the other children. He challenges the authority. This seems to me to be deeply allegorical.I was hoping to read some comments here that would help me understand this film, because I'm finding it puzzling. I found it a very hard film to watch, and I can't say I really enjoyed it. I found it slow and repetitive with far too much emphasis on 'peeing and pooping'. However, I'm finding it a very interesting film to think about and try to decipher. I would very much like to read other readers comments on this. What, for example, is the significance of the hospital? And the children's names? There are many many questions to be answered, and many more to be asked. By my own admission I'm not very good at reading films, but I am aware of what needs to be read!

Kristoffer Kristoffersen ****Contain Minor Spoilers**** In my option a good movie, it portrayed several kids journey trough a camp of children. The movie did a good job describing the feelings of the kids, one could almost feel how long i must have felt for them.Also there was several scenes where it was hard to tell dream from reality, like the mind of a child. The end of the movie was the most unexpected i have seen in a long time. Bam. Credits.There is a scene where one of the parents come to pick up one of the child's, he is a important man, when he sees that his son has not been given as many points as he expected the personal of the camp adds some flowers and says something like: Oh, we have not give him the flowers yet. They do really try.If you like children's play and a movie without the classical drama. Little Red Flowers is for the win.

kosmasp At least none that a western audience could connect to. But that shouldn't be a part of your/mine judgement of the movie. And I do think that although I was appalled by this institute, it did elevate the movie.Or better the story of the movie. You have a little boy, who is left at this kindergarten by his father. The father of course only having the best in mind for his child. Because he wants him to learn discipline.When people say don't work with animals or kids (in movies, because it's just to difficult), how must they felt here, where they had so many kids ... But they achieved their goal and I think they made a pretty decent movie. But the ending bumped me off (in a bad way) or else I would've given this movie a higher rating!