One Second
One Second

One Second

2020Movie104 minMandarin

A movie fan escapes from a labour camp during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and strikes up a relationship with a homeless female vagabond.

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IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic83/100
Google Users93%
Director: Zhang YimouGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

During the chaotic Cultural Revolution in China, a nameless convict escapes a labor camp, driven by a desire to see his daughter again. He is pursued by a film projectionist who believes the convict stole a reel of film. Their paths intertwine as they both seek to preserve a precious piece of cinema.

Critical Reception

One Second received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its artistic direction, nostalgic depiction of a turbulent era, and the performances of its lead actors. The film's themes of memory, idealism, and the power of cinema resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
  • A powerful meditation on memory and the enduring impact of film.
  • Masterfully captures a specific historical period with poignant human drama.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film's beautiful cinematography and its touching story about the importance of film and memory during a difficult time in Chinese history. Many found it to be a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience.

Awards & Accolades

Premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. Nominated for awards at various international film festivals.

Fun Fact

The film's release was delayed by over a year due to unspecified content issues, a common occurrence for films dealing with sensitive historical periods in China.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

“Zhang” (Yi Zhang) manages to escape from a forced labour camp just as the Chinese cultural revolution is in full swing. His plan is to make it back to his remote home where he hopes to see a screening of a short propaganda newsreel extolli...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

“Zhang” (Yi Zhang) manages to escape from a forced labour camp just as the Chinese cultural revolution is in full swing. His plan is to make it back to his remote home where he hopes to see a screening of a short propaganda newsreel extolli...