Screening of Hibiscus Town

Hibiscus Town will be screened at University of Chicago.

Based on eponymous novel written by Gu Hua, this film chronicles the chaotic decade of the Cultural Revolution through the lives of several men and women in the small town of Hibiscus. Hu Yuyin and her husband, Guigui, work hard selling rice beancurd and finally save enough money to build a new house. However, this new house brings them trouble. During the "four clean-ups" movement of 1964, they are classified as new rich peasants. Their house is confiscated, and Guigui is driven to suicide. Hu Yuyin is sentenced to sweep the streets every day together with the Rightist Qin Shutian. They eventually fall in love and marry, but their misfortunes continue. The film approaches the origin of ultra-left ideology in national history. By portraying the characters' distorted and alienated individualism, the political movements before and during the tumultuous years are strongly denounced. The film won 1987 Golden Rooster awards for Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Art Direction, as well as the Grand Prix at the 26th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in Czechoslovakia.