QuackQuackHere This past year I've been watching lots and lots (and lots) of foreign films. This one is top-notch. I have the same question as many others: why isn't this film better known?Strangely enough, I happened to find this film at the library and was enchanted by the cover. Everything about this film is magical.I would urge everyone: contact your local library (if they have the capacity to offer films). Tell them to please order this film - it's important :-) Honestly, I found this film by accident at the public library. Wouldn't it be great if all libraries had a copy?merci beaucoup!

parien I got hold of this film simply because I spent some time travelling in Yunnan last year. Seeing it today was magical, so evocative of the people, this lush country, the amazing sense of isolation and belonging. Made me want to throw down this job and go straight back again. This is an enjoyable, thoughtful, well made film; the star really has to be the setting though, that feeling of all the time in the world, being with the aged mountains to watch the days go by. You can really understand what drives Ujiie near the end of the film. The sense of impending loss, as even now China marches its wilderness towards modernity, balanced with the benefits its people hope for. The phenomenon of the global tourist has to now decide how it accepts the replacement of the way of life for the self-determining people they go to visit.

joro boro If you are going to see one Miike movie (just to see what the hell all the fuss is about), make it this one."Heart of Darkness" (aka 'Apocalypse Now') fades as a Euro-centric teen angst tale in comparison to this delicate gem, which has it all: mystery, search, innocence, innocence lost, passion, crime, sacrifice, sacrilege, comedy, drama, tragedy, and best of all - everything is carried by myths and dreams.In the words of Miike himself (from an interview in the 'extras' section of the DVD): "...cinema not just for entertainment" However, if you feel like venturing further into Miike territory, be cautioned, it's a treacherous zone and takes some stunt-level adaptation.

m-vanthof This is my second comment on a movie on this board. But after finishing this movie yesterday, I just had to write something about this fantastic movie. I have seen about 6 movies from Miike but this one was hard to find. I couldn't rent it anywhere but I really was interested in this piece of cinema because I liked the story and that it was something completely different from other Miike movies (although none of his movies are alike). So I ordered the DVD (artsmagicdvd version).From the beginning I was really into the movie. And after finishing it, I enjoyed every second of it! It has humor, adventure, a little action and emotion! The scenery in this movie is fantastic and I want to visit these places in the movie If I know where they are! Miike takes you into his dreamworld and you don't want to leave. It is fantasy but believable and not over the top. The story is surrounded by mystery and I wanted to know all about it. I won't tell about the story because you can read that on this site. I just want to recommend this movie to every fan of Miike, well....to everyone who can enjoy a piece of rare cinema with a great story and beautiful scenery. Sometimes a movie is great but the ending is a let down. I think this movie is really completed, from beginning to end. Ohh....and the music is great as well. It is one of those movies you want to see again the moment you finish it. I hope Miike makes a movie like this again in the future; slow, beautiful, mysterious.....I think it is very strange that a lot of crap is put on DVD but a fantastic movie like this is hard to find. I had to import the DVD and I can imagine not everybody likes to do that. So in Holland this gem isn't released. So I hope people just order a copy, just get one anyway you can, you won't regret it! On the DVD there is an interview with Miike, an audio commentary and some extra stuff. There is a trailer of this movie on the disk as well. But I STRONGLY suggest not to watch that before watching the movie. Why? Because the ending is in the trailer!!! I think that is very strange and I am happy I didn't watch it before the movie otherwise it would have spoiled the ending for me.So you get the idea, I am very enthusiastic and I think you will to after seeing this beautiful film. What are you still doing behind your desk? Go get a copy!