The Orphan Of Anyang

Simplicity can be an art form. Wang Chao, with his debut film, takes it to the extreme. He makes no concessions to the audience. His camera is static throughout.

An unemployed worker accepts the job of baby minder. The mother is a prostitute. She pays the man and stays with him occasionally. She is young and beautiful. He looks miserable.

He cares for the child. She appears indifferent. He doesn't know anything about her life and yet becomes jealous of her clients. She is unaware of this.

A gang leader decides that the child is his and tries to steal it from the man.

Chao was Chen Kaige's assistant for years in China. He has not learnt that storytelling is what the movies are about.