A city businessman returns to his home in a remote North Chinese village for the funeral of his father, who was the village school teacher. His mother insists that he receive an old-fashioned funeral. She personally will weave the funeral cloth, and dozens of men will be required to accompany the coffin on the way to the place of burial. As the son organises the event, he recounts how his parents met and their growing relationship, for whose romance the winding country road proved crucial, and how his father was taken away for questioning at a time of political upheaval. Zhang Yimou, who also directed Raise the Red Lantern and Not One Less, delicately and poetically constructs every frame of the film, often utilising a lingering camera and silence to make his points about love, family, culture, and change. This film won the Silver Bear Award at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival.

Shower is a feel-good movie with touches of humour and charm. It is set in a Beijing bathhouse that has been run by the elderly Mr Liu for as long as anybody can remember. He is assisted by his younger son, Er Ming, whilst the older son (Ming) has left this comfort zone to try his hand at being a successful businessman. The older brother returns to the bathhouse after receiving a troubling but somewhat ambiguous postcard from the younger brother that appears to suggest that Mr Liu is either dead or dying. Mr Liu is not running out of time, but the bathhouse is as it is earmarked for demolition by the authorities in pursuit of progress. Shower has a memorable opening sequence that suggests a modern alternative to the ancient bathhouse, which won't be taking off in a hurry. It also looks at the changing relationship between the father and the sons, and between the two brothers. For an enjoyable night out, go and see this film.