Zhou Yu's Train

Zhou Yu's Train
U.S. theatrical poster
Directed by	Sun Zhou
Written by	Sun Zhou Zhang Mei Bei Cun (novel)
Produced by	Huang Jianxin William Kong Sun Zhou
Starring	Gong Li Tony Leung Ka-Fai Sun Honglei
Cinematography	Wang Yu
Edited by	William Chang
Music by	Shigeru Umebayashi
Distributed by	Sony Pictures Classics
Release date	August 1, 2002 (2002-08-01) (China)
Running time	92 minutes
Countries	China Hong Kong
Language	Mandarin

Zhou Yu's Train (simplified Chinese: 周渔的火车; traditional Chinese: 周漁的火車; pinyin: zhōu yú de huǒchē) is a 2002 film based on a novella by Bei Cun. The film is a Chinese-Hong Kong co-production directed by Sun Zhou, and starring Gong Li, Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Sun Honglei.

The title refers to a poetic compilation published by the character in the movie played by Leung. The story starts at a book signing event and leads to the memories of the two lovers encounters. Zhou Yu maintained the relationship by commuting on the train, hence the title of the movie.

Synopsis

The story is set in Chongyang (Hubei province, China) and Sanming (Fujian province). Zhou Yu, a ceramics artist from Sanming falls in love with the poet Chen Qing, who lives in Chongyang, a town several hundred kilometers from Sanming. During the train trips between Sanming and Chongyang, she also meets Zhang Qiang, a veterinary surgeon.

Gong Li plays two characters who only differ by their hair styles, namely Zhou Yu and the short-haired Xiu. The film is pieced together with many flashbacks in no particular chronological order. The relationship between the two women is unclear until the end of the film.

External links

• Official website with synopsis, cast & crew, comments on production, and trailers (requires Flash).
• Zhou Yu's Train at IMDb
• Zhou Yu's Train at Rotten Tomatoes
• Kaori Shoji: Gong Li back on board, but on the wrong track. The Japan Times, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003.
• Michael O'Sullivan: Melodrama Derails 'Zhou Yu's Train'. The Washington Post Friday, August 27, 2004; Page WE31
• Derek Elley: Zhou Yu's Train / Zhou Yu de Huoche (China-Hong Kong). Variety Wed., Mar. 5, 2003.
• Dave Kehr: Zhou Yu's Train (2003): Torn Between a Dreamy Idealist and a Veterinarian. New York Times July 16, 2004.
• Graham Fuller: Shots in the dark: the reality of the rails may be all iron and steel, but when it comes to the movies, they're magic. February 2005.