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Strong and Moving!

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Sorry to say, but I found this Chinese documentary, directed by Hao Wu, to be rather disjointed, as the film lacked a smooth flow. It's only in the final third of the movie that I felt it clicked and had some pizazz.It focuses on the graduating class of the Central Academy of Drama, in Beijing, as they prepare for the first joint venture of China and Broadway. The young adults, with collaboration from American musical directors, will be cast and begin rehearsals for a production of the stage musical "Fame".As is usually the case in these types of documentaries, a few of the students are highlighted, and through interviews with them and their parents, we get to see their varied backgrounds and upbringings. They're products of the One-Child Policy, imposed in China in 1979. They express many doubts about their ability to secure employment in the arts field upon their graduation, both in China and abroad. They relate that the percentage of those that are successful is minuscule, yet they persevere in the hope that they can be one of the few to "make it".Unfortunately, as mentioned, it's only in the final third of the movie that we really get to see some of their talents, as they're on stage with their performances of "Fame". Up to that point, I have to admit I had trouble focusing on the subject at hand, as the film seemed to jump around too much and was confusing. We do get an update at the very end, as to what success or lack thereof some of the students had in the entertainment field, some 3 years after the documentary concluded.

A stage version of Fame, as one of the first Western musicals performed in China, is taught to the graduating senior class of the Central Academy of Drama (Beijing) in about 2008 and filmed for a documentary released in 2013. Fame has been staged by native performers (with their languages) in most of the major countries of the world. Could easily be five stars. Would like to have seen more background on the academy, the instructors and the students. I understand that there are budgetary, time, logistical and personal barriers to making it more complete. Also, for more accurate statistical reasons, would have liked to see the, several years later, outcomes for more of the A group and B group students we see involved in the Fame production.What is so strikingly revealed in the film is the commonality across humanity of dreams, thoughts, behaviors, parenting, growing up. What is a little less obvious are some of the differences in cultures such as freedom of expression and individuality. Not meant as a value judgment as sacrifice, cooperation and obedience are also important values. Best illustrated in Jasper, the American musical director, who comes over to help instruct and seeing his personality interacting with the students (by the way he would make a great teacher of any subject).

Hao Wu's documentary movie "Road of Fame" follows a group of students in China's prestigious Central Academy of Drama as they prepare for the Broadway musical "Fame". In competing for the roles, the students hope to get recognized for their talent and to be offered a place within China's highly competitive show business upon graduation.But this movie is really not about musicals, it is a coming-of-age story of those post 80's Chinese youngsters as they prepare themselves to leave college, to earn their own living, and to pursue their dreams in the real world. The movie explores the social, cultural and economic background of the students and their parents (some real interesting scenes of Chinese family meals!), has some interviews that are very authentic, touching and sometimes hilarious (i.e. the poetic father). It provides rich materials that give viewers insights as to what motivate those kids' to compete, and why they seem to lack motivation to learn.Nietzsche said:"If you know why to live for, you can bear almost any how."It may be true in this case for the Chinese parents, whose meaning in life is centered around their children. Even though that 50's generation survived the Cultural Revolution, missed their opportunities for education and few have benefited from the economic boom, they would still make all sacrifices necessary to ensure their children's well- being. However, the same cannot be said for their children, the post 80's Chinese youngsters who grew up as the only child, getting all attention as well as expectations. In many ways, they're carrying all unfulfilled dreams from their parents, yet never have a chance to know who they are. As we can see in this movie, with 1 or 2 exceptions, all students were pushed by their parents into this prestigious school, and their biggest motivation in life is to "bring honor to family". Without a self- propelled drive, it is difficult to have real, lasting passion for their art, that's probably why we see a lack of motivation to learn in almost every student in this movie. On one hand, they're very confident after having competed for so many years to get into the Academy; on the other hand, their sense of entitlement made them vulnerable for any setback in life. Once they realize the cutthroat competition out there and corrupt job market in China, they have hard time coping with anxiety. But not all students are blindly following their parents' expectations. Facing tough choices, some are having self-reflections in terms of personal integrity and values. They are thinking for themselves and start questioning the hand-me-down values, and are weighing their own choices very carefully. This process is painful and mistakes will be made, yet it is necessary for their personal growth. The movie does a good job capturing that sense of restlessness and confusion for this group of Chinese youth. This is indeed a Chinese generation that is at once privileged and extremely pressured. The director has a unique, balanced and empathetic perspective, and is a captivating storyteller. I wish there is no loose ends sticking out (some details are left unexplained), but understand that the real story is about "the dreamers and their parents", and for that, Hao Wu did a great job portraying some unforgettable characters. I highly recommend this movie if you are curious about today's fast-moving Chinese society.