SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Sanjeev Waters A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Martin Bradley If Yuan Zhang's "Little Red Flowers" isn't quite in the same class as Nicolas Philibert's masterpiece "Etre et avoir" it is still one of the best films ever made about small children in a school environment but whereas the Philibert film was a documentary this is fiction and at times the performances or 'non-performances' Zhang draws from the children are nothing short of miraculous. The setting is a boarding kindergarten in post-Revolutionary China and the central character is Fang Qiangqiang, a disruptive four year old desperate to fit in.There's no real plot to speak of and Zhang films it as if it were a documentary with perhaps more of an emphasis on the children's toiletry habits than some people might like. Although the film is perfectly innocent and full of charm, repetitive shots of our little hero and his friends in the altogether could prove problematic to Western audiences. (The Chinese, or is it just Zhang, seem obsessed with peeing, pooping and farting). Look beyond that, however, and this is a lovely account of one little boy's need for acceptance. The title refers to the little red flowers the children are rewarded for good behavior.

scarletpumpernickel ...Will explain that anon. But first let me say this film has all the earmarks of a classic.., and a knowledge of china is nice but not essential to appreciate it.As for the fog lights, this film (IMHO happily) leads you by the nose, more or less in the same modest egalitarian spirit as portrayed by the film. Filmsnobs may not appreciate this fact.Apart from amazing development and, call it directing, I was blown away by the perfect marriage between what I believe was experienced by the children as reality and the scene making/engineering which the film required - that is, between spontaneity and craft.I too on first viewing thought the end was abrupt, but I think I just wanted more. And btw, I did not recoil or even pause to ruminate over any "abuse", as I accepted the time and place and political climate. As for the issue of conformity, to those who might suggest that American schools were/are less inclined toward conformity, I would disagree. It's just that instead of conformity to a social and cultural template -(one that evidently works fairly well and produces more or less admirable people) - American students are led to conform to peers and popular culture.., often with dubious results.If you enjoyed this gem, you might like The Recipe (free IW at Netflix).

Iliyana We are watching the world unfold through the eyes of a child and within minutes we are immersed in his reality as if in our own. What an amazing movie! It's one of those films that not only provokes you to start asking questions but also makes you try to think and find some answers.And what incredible actors these little children are! They can surely teach a lesson in mastership certain "Hollywood stars". And as for the director Yuan Zhang - well, he had created a truly inspiring film!So if you are looking for an interesting, deeply moving and allegorical story, this film is definitely worth seeing!

kosmasp At least none that a western audience could connect to. But that shouldn't be a part of your/mine judgement of the movie. And I do think that although I was appalled by this institute, it did elevate the movie.Or better the story of the movie. You have a little boy, who is left at this kindergarten by his father. The father of course only having the best in mind for his child. Because he wants him to learn discipline.When people say don't work with animals or kids (in movies, because it's just to difficult), how must they felt here, where they had so many kids ... But they achieved their goal and I think they made a pretty decent movie. But the ending bumped me off (in a bad way) or else I would've given this movie a higher rating!