The Mongolian Tuya. There was no obscenity in this film. But, from a liberated American female perspective I just wanted to scream. Tuya was not for sale, but, nearly every man in the film treated her as if she was.
The victorious Tuya cast. Realize this is a Chinese film. A very frank reality within a Chinese film. If this is the success of a fiscally wealthy China then the world would like to see more of the same.
Needless to say this was a marvelously cultural film that could only be this well done by a strong Chinese insight and influence (click here).
Tuya is a very virtuous woman and is married at the beginning of the film with two children. Her husband a very kind and attentive man is disabled after 'providing' for the family for so many years and digging a water well on their property in the far reaches of Mongolia. Soon into the film it is realized Tuya has succumbed to the same 'hard labor fate' as her husband and is warned by a physician if she continues to disregard her physical limitations she as well will become as disabled as her husband. At that point, her 'virtue' as a woman changes from 'provider/heavy lifter' around the family farm to one of a 'saleable single.' She approaches her husband regarding a divorce for the sake of finding another husband that can provide for all of them including him in a dignified way.
The film takes many twists and turns but mostly portrays a reality about China that I was never aware of before this film. The 'value' of marriage is intact in that a woman's virtue reaches into morality in a way that also secures life from a fate of death by disability. It is profoundly important for any society to face it's shortcomings and in that find greater meaning within itself to rise above these hardships.
I found the 'willingness' of China to have such a film made within it's borders by it's own artists a sincere breath of fresh air and that is the 'real virtue' of Tuya's Marriage. At least it was for me. I thank the film makers and China for their openness and bravery in presenting this film to the world. It's scenery and cultural richness along with 'the kitchen's chronically boiling pot' was a pure pleasure. I hope, sincerely hope there is more of the same coming from China. I simply can't get enough. Thank you, Michael for bring this film to Traverse City.
