Perspective - Chinese Cinema Today and Tomorrow
Getting Home
(Luo ye gui gen) de ZHANG Yang
China / China Hong-Kong / Comedy / 2006 / 97'
Starring: ZHAO Benshan (Zhao), HONG Qiwen (Liu), SONG Dandan (woman bins), GUO Degang (the bus thief), HU Jun (the driver)
International Sales by 
Synopsis
Filmed with great sense of humor, Getting Home is based on a true story about two construction workers. Zhao worked as a laborer in the new city of Shenzhen. His close friend Lao Wang dies. Just before he dies Zhao promises to bury him, in the land of his ancestors. To keep his promise, Zhao carries his friend's dead body across china for the burial.
The Film
Complications inevitably arise: the pair are held up on a tour-bus by a gang of thugs, Zhao's money is stolen, he loses the body... Every scene is an opportunity to describe a series of characters (hairdresser, bandits, police, workers ...) that gives all its charm to Getting Home. Led a full of life Zhao Benshan who interprets with exceptional finesse and humor the role of Zhao "good guy". Getting Home speaks with great tenderness of China, its changes and the "joie de vivre" despite adversity. It is also a touching portrait of rural farmers and their human values.
ZHANG Yang is one of the most discreet and talented Chinese filmmakers of his generation. Screen Daily quoted Getting Home "one of the most enjoyable films presented at the Berlin Film Festival this year" (Berlin Film Festival in 2006).