Winter Vacation-Han Jia (2010)

Directed by: Li Hongqi | 91 minutes | drama | Actors: Jinfeng Bai, Lei Bao, Hui Wang, Ying Xie, Naqi Zhang

‘Winter Vacation’ describes the last days of the winter vacation of a group of teenagers in an unnamed Chinese city. As we are used to from teenagers, they have nothing to do all day. They just hang out on the street and argue with each other to keep the tension going. And of course they also struggle with the necessary existential questions. Should I find a wife and get married later? Should I join the communist party? Do I have to study hard to score well on the test?

In itself it is not surprising that you are so confused as a teenager. What makes ‘Winter Vacation’ so special is that the young people’s quest is set against the background of a desolate northern Chinese city. Rough sleek stone buildings and no entertainment or street life of any kind. Rooms without furnishing. And then also the dim light of the winter season. You wouldn’t want to be found dead in that town. Placing the aimless boredom of the adolescents in such a depressing context gives their existential questions something sad.

In addition to the environment, the elderly are also not exactly an inspiring example. They excel in resignation and crankiness. For example, we witness old people getting divorced after years. An old grandfather who has worked hard all his life sits at home dissatisfied watching television and does nothing but nag at his grandson. The market is normally a cozy place full of life, but not in this unnamed Chinese city. The sellers sit at a long table and every stall is the same. Even negotiating is fun.

The social commentary is quite thick in this film and it is therefore special that director Li Hongqi was allowed to make this film by the Chinese government. The film doesn’t really have a head and a tail, as a viewer you will have to make do with the images. They are very strong and the soundtrack is also fascinating. Difficult to explain what kind of music it is: a man and a woman mumble sounds accompanied by traditional Chinese musical instruments and guitar.

A movie about boredom always runs the risk of becoming boring, but ‘Winter Vacation’ has enough to offer to captivate. The fascinating images, the bizarre soundtrack and the occasionally funny tricks of the young people make the film a special whole.