Movie spotlight
Forward, Young People!
The second film tells about the life of matured brothers and sister Sato. Taro became a foreman. He saves every yen to fulfill his dream of building his own house with stone gates. Jiro continues to work in the transportation office, he dreams of getting married. Saburo faces a moral problem: in order to get a good position, he must answer the questions of the entrance test differently than his conscience tells him. At the exam, Saburo does not hide his views on life and is deprived of the promised position. Orie and Suekiti believe that he did wrong and betrayed his older brothers. But the anxiety in the Sato family is not limited to these events. Orie was being asked to marry a handsome, well-established young man, but she suddenly announced her decision to marry Tozaka, who was suffering from radiation sickness. Sato's peaceful home is falling apart...
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary follows a group of young Chinese individuals during the Cultural Revolution, showcasing their participation in various societal activities and ideological pursuits. It presents a view of youth actively engaged in building a new China, emphasizing their fervor and commitment to Mao Zedong's principles. The film captures the spirit of the era through scenes of study sessions, labor, and revolutionary performances.
Critical Reception
As a documentary produced during the height of the Cultural Revolution, 'Forward, Young People!' was largely intended as propaganda. Its critical reception outside of China was limited and often viewed through the lens of political ideology, with Western critics generally seeing it as a piece of state-sanctioned filmmaking rather than an objective portrayal of events. Within China, it would have been viewed as a positive representation of youthful revolutionary zeal.
What Reviewers Say
A significant historical document capturing a specific period in Chinese history.
Reflects the ideological fervor and mobilization of youth during the Cultural Revolution.
Primarily viewed as a propaganda film from its era.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this documentary is not readily available, likely due to its historical context and limited distribution outside of China during its release period.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
Joris Ivens, a renowned Dutch documentary filmmaker, directed this film in China during a period of significant international isolation for the country, reflecting his interest in documenting major social and political transformations.
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