Film

Good Cats

Good Cats

<< return to listing

Cert:(adv 12A)
Dir. Ying Liang
China , 103 mins, 2008
Cast: Luo Liang, Peng Deming, Liu Xiaopei, Chen Xigui

The short film Patience will be shown before this film.

Good Cats is the third feature by 31-year-old Chinese writer/director Ying Liang, who established himself among his country's very brightest cinema prospects with his debut Taking Father Home (2006) and follow-up The Other Half (2007). Presenting a wry, acerbic take on current developments in Ying's fast-changing homeland, both films attracted acclaim and awards on the film-festival circuit and were showcased in Bradford twelve months ago.

Since then, his nation has started to feel the pinch of the global economic downturn – according to Ying, “the Chinese will feel that the end of the world is coming, although many people can't figure out why that is so or what the future has in store for them. I'm one of those people.”

This is the backdrop of Good Cats, which follows Luo Liang (Luo), an easygoing chap who works for shady businessman ‘Boss Peng’ (Peng) and whose lax morality is clearly intended as symptomatic of much wider social trends. The title provides a clue, taken from former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's famous justification of free-market economics: “It doesn't matter if it is a black cat or a white cat. As long as it can catch mice, it's a good cat.” Ying's damning response: “In a society dominated by these values, tragedies will be continuous.”

His film is motivated by this anger, but it's also modulated by his trademark streak of deadpan humour – while admirers of his first two movies will again note his instinctive flair when it comes to composition and movement within the frame, all the more impressive considering his less-than shoestring budget. Named by top Australian critic Adrian Martin in Sight & Sound as one of 2008's top five films, Good Cats will delight Ying fans and is an ideal introduction for those so far unfamiliar with his fascinating oeuvre.

Neil Young

Other films showing that are Premieres & Previews are:

Sponsors

Screen YorkshireBradford City of FilmBradford CouncilDolby Production Services all the sponsors