It suitably sums up a work that ended up winning worldwide acclaim despite a ban on home grounds in Mainland China. A tragic story centering on a Beijing family wanting to live through but not thoroughly with the heavy political times of the 1950s and 60s, in the center we find little Tietou (portrayed by three different child actors). Looking for a voice and trying to make sense of his place in the world, his own definition becomes a bumpy one as he's not aware of the problematic scope of the world around him, invading his small space. Loss dominate the family fate as one by one, the politics of the time suffocates free will.

Not communicated with a praise of communism but with a neutral stance on some of the people caught up in it, director Tian (part of the fifth generation of Chinese filmmakers, which also includes Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige) puts forth a bold statement where it's the most assuring that it reaches people far, far away from the land and the eras. Sure a little homework on the distinct events of the time helps put the film into perspective but The Blue Kite manages to center powerful images meaning more to the Chinese yet globally triumph in its portrayal of one family. It's quiet, distanced, non-manipulative and the more poignant film because of it. It's truly amazing how cinema can travel even when one isn't grasping a full 100% of it. Maybe the turmoil behind The Blue Kite wasn't worth it but director Tian Zhuangzhuang emerged by simply being bold to get the film out there, to a variety of minds.