Ermo

Materialism has never seemed so delightfully tragic. In Zhou Xiaowen's film, set in a poor Chinese province, a television set becomes the reason for working, the epitome of wealth and status. Married to an older man who's unable to work, Ermo slaves day and night making noodles to provide for the family and compete with her catty neighbor. As she becomes obsessed with the idea of buying a TV, Ermo even ends up risking her health by selling her blood. The movie uses little dialogue, showing the anguish of unfulfilled dreams in a gesture, an expression, in the grinding of the noodles. All repressed tension, Ermo moves efficiently but passionately, as if each step was another step toward the TV. Ermo is positively engrossing. (L. Russo)