Ma (Wu Renlin) is a farmer living in a humble home among the livestock he tends. He is a younger brother in a large, traditional family. Because of this, he is middle-aged by the time his family gets around to marrying him off. His bride-to-be is Cao (Hai Qing), a woman outcast by the village for her constant bouts of illness and inability to control her bladder. Both bond quickly and easily despite being in an arranged marriage. Both of the outcasts appreciate the simple life, raising crops and caring for animals. Despite this, Ma’s elder brothers sell the land his house is built on when the government offers a payment for knocking down abandoned or poorly maintained rural properties. Ma moves a ways down the road with Cao. There, they build a new house and a new life together.
Return to Dust is haunting, pensive, and beautiful. At its core, the tragic drama is a story about finding -or making- kindness in adversity. Neither Ma nor Cao are well-liked in the village. Their struggle to make ends meet is the bulk of the film: It’s a difficult life for a traditional subsistence farmer in the fast-paced, mechanized modern world. Man and Cao’s love story is well-acted and poetic, making this film a must-see for drama film fanatics. That being said, some will find the film’s length and stoic nature too drawn out for their tastes. Return to Dust is a Chinese ‘Southern Gothic’ tragedy with subtle themes and a compelling plotline. If your patrons are looking for something filled with realism and spirit, Return to Dust would be an excellent choice for drama shelves. Consider using Return to Dust in series and showings of international drama, modern tragedy, and award-winning Asian filmmaking. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Return to Dust belongs in Chinese language and drama collections.
What kind of film series could use this film?
Return to Dust would fit right in with other recent award-winning Chinese films made in the last few years.