Xiao Wu

Xiao Wu, a 1997 Chinese film, is an unflinching portrayal of life on the fringes of Chinese society, reinvented in the age of reform and rapid modernization. The film blends elements of drama and crime genres, offering a nuanced view of the changing times and moral complexities of a society in transition. Directed by Jia Zhangke, this film marked his eye-opening debut on the world cinema stage, putting forth an authentic vision of contemporary China seldom seen before. The film stars Hongwei Wang in the title role, with powerful supporting performances from Hongjian Hao and Baitao Zuo.

The movie's narrative centres on Xiao Wu, a petty thief, who is steeped in the underworld of Fenyang, a society in transition and filled with moral ambiguities. The movie's setting is a rural town in China, in the late 1990s, a period marked by rapid capitalist progress. Yet, as the social order transforms, Xiao Wu, remains trapped in his outdated mode of life and undesirable ways, becoming increasingly isolated as he refuses to change.

The film opens with Xiao Wu, also known as Little Wu or Pickpocket, operating with relative impunity, affronting the law, family, and society. His life thrives on picking pockets of unsuspecting victims at public places, and his showcased nonchalance at his acts adds an intriguing dimension to his character. He embraces the life of a drifting outlaw, unmindful of the dehumanizing effects of his chosen path. However, with time, the law enforcement agencies start cracking down on such activities, and his friends begin to abandon their old ways in search of employment in rapidly developing businesses.

The film illustrates the stark contrasts between Xiao Wu's outlaw life and the fast-paced world of capitalist China, marked by new wealth and modernization. The indifference Xiao shows to the changing world adds a layer of complexity to his character. He struggles with the metamorphoses of society and people around him, as he witnesses the town trading its old roots for new promises.

His isolation deepens when he plunges into a romantic relationship with a karaoke hostess, Mei Mei, played by Hao Hongjian. Despite his monetary limitations, he attempts to pursue a genuine connection in a world where everything can be bought. Their romance brings warm and cold, light and shade into Wu’s otherwise desperate existence. However, the relationship serves as a mirror, amplifying his exclusion and struggle to belong in this fast-changing society.

Xiao Wu is an unsentimental analysis of an individual's alienation amid societal change. Zhangke humanizes Xiao Wu, making viewers reflect on his predicaments, despite his unpalatable life choices. By presenting a chain-smoking, routinely law-offending protagonist, he presents a character study of a man who has fallen through the cracks of an emerging society.

Shot on 16 mm film, the grainy texture and handheld camerawork take the audience on a journey through the grimy, unglamorous locales, almost letting them taste and smell the provincial life of China. The cinematography perfectly complements the authentic, gritty narrative, capturing the unsettling shifts that economic reforms brought into the daily life of an average Chinese populace.

Hongwei Wang's exceptional performance as Xiao Wu brings life to the complex character. His portrayal of Xiao Wu's solitude, apparent in his forlorn gazes and minimalistic expressions, adds depth to the narrative. Wang's performance and Zhangke's direction make Xiao Wu a compelling study of a petty criminal blurring moral boundaries while seeking belonging and meaning in life.

Apart from a poignant story about a societal outcast, Xiao Wu is also an implicit political statement about the underrepresented population's struggle in an era of rapid economic transformation. Far away from the glamorous urban landscapes and skyscrapers glorified in modern Chinese cinema, Zhangke chooses to bring to light the forgotten corners and people of China in this film.

Powerful, thought-provoking, and poignantly heartbreaking, Xiao Wu investigates the royal road of criminality, economic change, and willful isolation. Its vivid portrayal of a society in transition, combined with an admirable character study, makes it an essential watch for those interested in cinema offering sociopolitical commentary. By focusing on an inherently flawed character trying to keep pace with an accelerating society, the movie serves as an emblematic exploration of the modern Chinese experience.