Comparison of “The Story of Qiu Ju” and “Ermo”
“The Story of Qiu Ju,” directed by Zhang Yimou has many underlying as well as apparent themes enwrapped in the film to absorb the audience. These themes coincide with the themes from, “Ermo” which was directed by Zhou Xiaowen. These two films have multiple similarities as well as differences; these similarities and differences of the two films are especially embodied in the two respective female protagonists. As you will notice there is an emphasis on gender roles, which plays an immense part in each film. Qiu Ju, which was played by the prominent actress Gong Li starred in, “The Story of Qiu Ju.” Ermo, which was played by Ai Liya starred in, “Ermo.” In the following paragraphs I will compare and contrast these films in many ways, as well as are their respective female protagonists.
In the first scenes of both films it becomes quite apparent that both female protagonists’ husbands face some sort of trouble. This hinders them from playing the role of the breadwinner for the family. Qiu Ju’s husband is injured as he was kicked in the groin by the village’s political head. The injury not only cost him his health but also prevented him from working which incremented to the medical fees. Ermo’s husband, who is impotent and sick; cannot work due to physical problems. As you can see both males would stay at home while, the females would go out and try to earn some money. This shows how the gender roles in both films contrast the traditional ideals of men and women. As you may have already noticed, the similarities are beginning to show for the protagonists; they will face many hurdles throughout the film. One concrete similarity is how the protagonists’ names are in the titles of the films. I believe that Qiu Ju is a humble character that only wants justice for the misconduct that was done to her husband. She tries to obtain this justice by attempting to obtain an apology from the village’s political head; she soon found this would not be an easy task since it would
In the first scenes of both films it becomes quite apparent that both female protagonists’ husbands face some sort of trouble. This hinders them from playing the role of the breadwinner for the family. Qiu Ju’s husband is injured as he was kicked in the groin by the village’s political head. The injury not only cost him his health but also prevented him from working which incremented to the medical fees. Ermo’s husband, who is impotent and sick; cannot work due to physical problems. As you can see both males would stay at home while, the females would go out and try to earn some money. This shows how the gender roles in both films contrast the traditional ideals of men and women. As you may have already noticed, the similarities are beginning to show for the protagonists; they will face many hurdles throughout the film. One concrete similarity is how the protagonists’ names are in the titles of the films. I believe that Qiu Ju is a humble character that only wants justice for the misconduct that was done to her husband. She tries to obtain this justice by attempting to obtain an apology from the village’s political head; she soon found this would not be an easy task since it would
Bibliography: "JUMP CUTA REVIEW OF CONTEMPORARY MEDIA." "Ermo" by Anne T. Ciecko and Sheldon H. Lu. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2012. . "Movies." Movie Review - Ermo. N.p., 28 June 2012. Web. 27 June 2012. . "The Story of Qiu Ju :: Rogerebert.com :: Reviews." The Story of Qiu Ju :: Rogerebert.com :: Reviews. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2012. .