The Story of Qui Ju (Qiu Ju da guan si) (Qiu Ju Goes to Court) poster & wallpaper
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Li Gong, Zhijun Ge, Peiqi Liu, Lin Zi, Laosheng Lei ... see more see more... , Jun Ye , Yang Liu-Xia , Liuchun Yang , Kesheng Lei

With The Story of Qiu Ju, internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou) to contemporary life. Gong Li p... read more read more...lays the titular heroine, an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize, Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon, her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich, painterly look of his previous films, Zhang adopts an unadorned, realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed, while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings, the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected, The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

2,633 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

14 critics

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Yimou Zhang

Release Date: October 2, 1992

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DVD Release Date: April 4, 2006

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Stats: 119 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (119)

  • crazydannielle16
    August 21, 2008
    crazydannielle16
    It was a really good movie. I enjoyed learning about the culture and seeing the determination of Qui Ju. She would not give up no matter what. It was inspiring.
  • envel2
    January 9, 2010
    envel2
    Entirely too slow.
  • threefolddado
    April 14, 2008
    threefolddado
    Hilarious story of bureaucracy.
  • matricialynnicus
    March 15, 2008
    matricialynnicus
    This is a delightfully ironic story. I thoroughly recommend it, especially for anyone who is into Chinese dramas. (NT)

    I liked it enough to ask that it be added to the database, so that should tell you something. :-)
  • Claraity
    August 21, 2007
    Claraity
    Great performance again by Gong Li who plays a peasant woman seeking moral justice. The story is very realistic. Watch it if you like learning about Chinese history, culture, and politics.

View All The Story of Qui Ju (Qiu Ju da guan si) (Qiu Ju Goes to Court) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca
March 29, 2006
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Utilizando a montagem de forma precisa para estabelecer o ritmo da vida de seus personagens, Yimou narra uma história bem-humorada e reveladora sobre a China contemporânea, sendo auxiliando por Gong L...

Gregory Weinkauf
March 1, 2005
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

Sparks of genius already apparent.

Dan Lybarger
July 23, 2004
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

One of Zhang Yimou's finest moments.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 18, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Mesmerizing Chinese film about a woman who is zealous for justice Full Review

Deborah Young
March 26, 2009
Deborah Young, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

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