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Shower (film)
Encyclopedia
Shower is a 1999 Chinese comedy-drama film directed by Zhang Yang and starring Zhu Xu
, Pu Cunxin
and Jiang Wu
. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
on 14 September 1999 and won the FIPRESCI
Prize. Though only the second directorial work by Zhang and the third production of Imar Film, Shower was selected for numerous film festivals, including San Sebastian Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival
, and Seattle International Film Festival
, where it received many awards.
Written by Zhang and a team of young scriptwriters, the film revolves around a family-run bathhouse
in Beijing
. An aged father and his younger, mentally challenged son have been working hard every day to keep the bathhouse running for a motley group of regular customers. When his elder son, who left years ago to seek his fortune in the southern city of Shenzhen
, abruptly returns one day, it once again puts under stress the long-broken father-son ties. Presented as a light-hearted comedy, Shower explores the value of family, friendship, and tradition.
) and his younger, mentally challenged son Liu Erming (Jiang Wu
) run and live in a traditional bathhouse
for men in an old district in Beijing
. The bathhouse provides a variety of peripheral services, including haircut, massage
, shaving
, fire cupping
, even old-style pedicure
, to a motley group of regular customers, many of whom are retired old Beijingers. The patrons usually spend their entire day, day after day, in the bathhouse, engaging in a game of Chinese chess or cricket fighting
. As such, they have formed close bonds not only with one another, but also with Old Liu, who is manager, staff, mediator in squabbles, and marriage consultant all in one. One of the patrons is a man who sings 'O Sole Mio
in the shower, but when he goes to sing it in public he loses his nerve, until Erming provides him with a shower from a hose. Another patron is a man having marital problems, after his wife ran after a thief while naked, and Old Liu arranges a reconciliation by having the man find his wife in the bath. After the bathhouse closes in the evening, Old Liu and Erming go for their daily jog around the neighbourhood, after which they engage in a contest to hold their breath in water as they bathe. Even simple tasks such as cleaning up the bathhouse are tremendous fun for the duo, both of whom behave like little children at these times.
One day, Old Liu's elder son Liu Daming (Pu Cunxin
), who left many years ago to seek fortunes in the southern city of Shenzhen
, abruptly returns home. Now a successful businessman, Daming had received a postcard from Erming with a drawing of their father lying in bed. Thinking that his father has died, Daming rushed home, only to find it a misunderstanding. However, the father-son ties between Old Liu and Daming appear to be strained, and Daming plans to return to Shenzhen three days later.
When Erming follows Daming downtown to reserve a plane ticket, he became separated from his elder brother. After a futile search, Daming returns home to his distressed father, who lashes out at him for not being able to take care of his younger brother. Old Liu laments that having already lost one son (referring to Daming), he cannot afford to lose the other. The next morning, however, Erming is able to find his own way home, to the relief of everyone. Having already postponed his flight, Daming decides to stay one more night.
It rains heavily overnight. While up on the roof fixing leaks, Old Liu catches a cold and falls sick the next morning. Daming volunteers to take over the work in the bathhouse, delaying his return once more. In the next few days, Daming stays on to help in the bathhouse. He even joins in the daily evening jog with his father and Erming. One evening, after coming back from jogging, Old Liu passes away peacefully while sitting in the bath.
Erming refuses to accept the reality and insists on opening the bathhouse everyday at the usual time. On the other hand, Daming plans to bring Erming to Shenzhen to live with him, but he is worried about his wife's reaction. He decides to leave Erming in a mental hospital for a couple of weeks while he goes back to make preparations. However, Erming puts up a fight at the hospital with the attendants. Daming has no choice but to bring Erming back to the bathhouse again.
Meanwhile, the entire district is due to be demolished to make way for commercial development. Even as the crew of movers comes in to take away the furniture, Erming tries to protect the bathhouse. With water hose in hand, he sprays and drives out everyone and locks the door. Eventually, he is convinced by Daming to accept the reality. As the group of old customers gathers in the bathhouse for one last time, Erming gives his final performance in the place he so loves, singing to the tune of 'O Sole Mio
.
, with additional scenes in northern Shaanxi province
(near Yan'an
) and Tibet
. According to producer Peter Loehr
, he had "to go out and beg for a cast" because of the tight budget. He was even considering hiring a real mentally challenged amateur actor for the role of Liu Erming when Jiang Wu
approached him and requested to have the role. The Beijing shot took 43 days in total, with 18 to 20-hour days and one day off. The actors took naps between shoots on the beds available in the bathhouse on set. Shower wrapped up in late May 1999.
held back the release of Shower due to poor domestic market in Mainland China
. Instead, the film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on 14 September, winning the Fipresci Prize. It was soon invited to many more film festivals and distribution rights were sold to 56 countries. Imar Film had recouped double of its budget of US$350,000 in advances alone. Having won international acclaim, Shower finally opened at home on 6 November.
, Spanish
and French
was released on 12 December 2000 and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
in the United States.
Zhu Xu
Zhu Xu is a Chinese actor. He is well known for his roles in Zhang Yang's Shower and Wu Tianming's The King of Masks, the latter film helping him garner a Best Actor prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.-Filmography:...
, Pu Cunxin
Pu Cunxin
Pu Cunxin, also transliterated as Pu Quanxin is a Chinese actor. He is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Films :- External links :* at the Chinese Movie Database...
and Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu is a Chinese actor. He starred in Zhang Yimou's To Live, and Zhang Yang's Shower. He is the younger brother to Jiang Wen and is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Filmography :* To Live...
. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
on 14 September 1999 and won the FIPRESCI
FIPRESCI
The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Prize. Though only the second directorial work by Zhang and the third production of Imar Film, Shower was selected for numerous film festivals, including San Sebastian Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, and Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
The Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
, where it received many awards.
Written by Zhang and a team of young scriptwriters, the film revolves around a family-run bathhouse
Public bathing
Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. An aged father and his younger, mentally challenged son have been working hard every day to keep the bathhouse running for a motley group of regular customers. When his elder son, who left years ago to seek his fortune in the southern city of Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
, abruptly returns one day, it once again puts under stress the long-broken father-son ties. Presented as a light-hearted comedy, Shower explores the value of family, friendship, and tradition.
Plot
An aged father known to everyone as Old Liu (played by Zhu XuZhu Xu
Zhu Xu is a Chinese actor. He is well known for his roles in Zhang Yang's Shower and Wu Tianming's The King of Masks, the latter film helping him garner a Best Actor prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.-Filmography:...
) and his younger, mentally challenged son Liu Erming (Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu is a Chinese actor. He starred in Zhang Yimou's To Live, and Zhang Yang's Shower. He is the younger brother to Jiang Wen and is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Filmography :* To Live...
) run and live in a traditional bathhouse
Public bathing
Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
for men in an old district in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. The bathhouse provides a variety of peripheral services, including haircut, massage
Massage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
, shaving
Shaving
Shaving is the removal of hair, by using a razor or any other kind of bladed implement, to slice it down to the level of the skin. Shaving is most commonly practiced by men to remove their facial hair and by women to remove their leg and underarm hair...
, fire cupping
Fire cupping
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin; practitioners believe this mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing. Suction is created using heat or mechanical devices...
, even old-style pedicure
Pedicure
A pedicure is a way to improve the appearance of the feet and the nails. It provides a similar service to a manicure. The word pedicure refers to superficial cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails...
, to a motley group of regular customers, many of whom are retired old Beijingers. The patrons usually spend their entire day, day after day, in the bathhouse, engaging in a game of Chinese chess or cricket fighting
Cricket fighting
Cricket fighting is a blood sport involving the fighting of male crickets. Unlike most blood sports such as bullfighting and cockfighting, however, cricket fighting rarely causes injuries to the animals...
. As such, they have formed close bonds not only with one another, but also with Old Liu, who is manager, staff, mediator in squabbles, and marriage consultant all in one. One of the patrons is a man who sings 'O Sole Mio
'O Sole Mio
"O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song written in 1898. The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurro and the melody was composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, "'O sole mio" is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language...
in the shower, but when he goes to sing it in public he loses his nerve, until Erming provides him with a shower from a hose. Another patron is a man having marital problems, after his wife ran after a thief while naked, and Old Liu arranges a reconciliation by having the man find his wife in the bath. After the bathhouse closes in the evening, Old Liu and Erming go for their daily jog around the neighbourhood, after which they engage in a contest to hold their breath in water as they bathe. Even simple tasks such as cleaning up the bathhouse are tremendous fun for the duo, both of whom behave like little children at these times.
One day, Old Liu's elder son Liu Daming (Pu Cunxin
Pu Cunxin
Pu Cunxin, also transliterated as Pu Quanxin is a Chinese actor. He is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Films :- External links :* at the Chinese Movie Database...
), who left many years ago to seek fortunes in the southern city of Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
, abruptly returns home. Now a successful businessman, Daming had received a postcard from Erming with a drawing of their father lying in bed. Thinking that his father has died, Daming rushed home, only to find it a misunderstanding. However, the father-son ties between Old Liu and Daming appear to be strained, and Daming plans to return to Shenzhen three days later.
When Erming follows Daming downtown to reserve a plane ticket, he became separated from his elder brother. After a futile search, Daming returns home to his distressed father, who lashes out at him for not being able to take care of his younger brother. Old Liu laments that having already lost one son (referring to Daming), he cannot afford to lose the other. The next morning, however, Erming is able to find his own way home, to the relief of everyone. Having already postponed his flight, Daming decides to stay one more night.
It rains heavily overnight. While up on the roof fixing leaks, Old Liu catches a cold and falls sick the next morning. Daming volunteers to take over the work in the bathhouse, delaying his return once more. In the next few days, Daming stays on to help in the bathhouse. He even joins in the daily evening jog with his father and Erming. One evening, after coming back from jogging, Old Liu passes away peacefully while sitting in the bath.
Erming refuses to accept the reality and insists on opening the bathhouse everyday at the usual time. On the other hand, Daming plans to bring Erming to Shenzhen to live with him, but he is worried about his wife's reaction. He decides to leave Erming in a mental hospital for a couple of weeks while he goes back to make preparations. However, Erming puts up a fight at the hospital with the attendants. Daming has no choice but to bring Erming back to the bathhouse again.
Meanwhile, the entire district is due to be demolished to make way for commercial development. Even as the crew of movers comes in to take away the furniture, Erming tries to protect the bathhouse. With water hose in hand, he sprays and drives out everyone and locks the door. Eventually, he is convinced by Daming to accept the reality. As the group of old customers gathers in the bathhouse for one last time, Erming gives his final performance in the place he so loves, singing to the tune of 'O Sole Mio
'O Sole Mio
"O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song written in 1898. The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurro and the melody was composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, "'O sole mio" is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language...
.
Cast
- Zhu XuZhu XuZhu Xu is a Chinese actor. He is well known for his roles in Zhang Yang's Shower and Wu Tianming's The King of Masks, the latter film helping him garner a Best Actor prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.-Filmography:...
as Old Liu, owner and manager of a traditional bathhousePublic bathingPublic baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
in BeijingBeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, father to Daming and Erming - Pu CunxinPu CunxinPu Cunxin, also transliterated as Pu Quanxin is a Chinese actor. He is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Films :- External links :* at the Chinese Movie Database...
as Liu Daming, elder son of Old Liu, left for ShenzhenShenzhenShenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
many years ago - Jiang WuJiang WuJiang Wu is a Chinese actor. He starred in Zhang Yimou's To Live, and Zhang Yang's Shower. He is the younger brother to Jiang Wen and is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Filmography :* To Live...
as Liu Erming, younger and mentally challenged son of Old Liu, helper in the bathhouse
Production
Shower was shot on a budget mostly in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, with additional scenes in northern Shaanxi province
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
(near Yan'an
Yan'an
Yan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....
) and Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. According to producer Peter Loehr
Peter Loehr
Peter Loehr, born 1967.Peter Loehr established Imar Film Co., Ltd., China's first independent film company in 1997. Imar was China's first true, multi-faceted independent, producing, distributing and marketing all of their films entirely in-house...
, he had "to go out and beg for a cast" because of the tight budget. He was even considering hiring a real mentally challenged amateur actor for the role of Liu Erming when Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu
Jiang Wu is a Chinese actor. He starred in Zhang Yimou's To Live, and Zhang Yang's Shower. He is the younger brother to Jiang Wen and is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Filmography :* To Live...
approached him and requested to have the role. The Beijing shot took 43 days in total, with 18 to 20-hour days and one day off. The actors took naps between shoots on the beds available in the bathhouse on set. Shower wrapped up in late May 1999.
Reception
Having wrapped up in late May 1999, producer Peter LoehrPeter Loehr
Peter Loehr, born 1967.Peter Loehr established Imar Film Co., Ltd., China's first independent film company in 1997. Imar was China's first true, multi-faceted independent, producing, distributing and marketing all of their films entirely in-house...
held back the release of Shower due to poor domestic market in Mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. Instead, the film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on 14 September, winning the Fipresci Prize. It was soon invited to many more film festivals and distribution rights were sold to 56 countries. Imar Film had recouped double of its budget of US$350,000 in advances alone. Having won international acclaim, Shower finally opened at home on 6 November.
Awards and nominations
- Toronto Film Festival, 1999
- International Critics' Award (Fipresci Prize)
- San Sebastian Film Festival, 1999
- Best Director Ecumenical Award
- Thessaloniki Film Festival, 1999
- Golden Alexander Award
- Seattle International Film FestivalSeattle International Film FestivalThe Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
, 2000- Golden Space Needle Award
- Best Director
- Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2000
- Audience Award
- Satellite AwardsSatellite AwardsThe Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards.- Film :*Best Actor – Drama*Best Actor – Musical or Comedy*Best Actress – Drama...
, 2001- Golden Satellite Award (nominated)
- Hong Kong Film AwardsHong Kong Film AwardsThe Hong Kong Film Awards , founded in 1982, are the most prestigious film awards in Hong Kong and among the most respected in mainland China and Taiwan. Award ceremonies are held annually, typically in April. The Awards recognize achievement in all aspects of filmmaking, such as directing,...
, 2002- Best Asian Film (nominated)
DVD release
A DVD featuring subtitles in EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
was released on 12 December 2000 and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics is an art-house film division of Sony Pictures Entertainment founded in December 1991 that distributes, produces and acquires specialty films from the United States and around the world. Its co-presidents are Michael Barker and Tom Bernard...
in the United States.