WHEN RUO MA WAS SEVENTEEN (Zhang Jiarui, director, 2002)
The 5th Annual College of Liberal Arts Foreign Film Series
Van Bokkelen Hall Auditorium
Wednesday, March 26, 6:30 ? 9:30 p.m.
The 17-year-old Hani nation girl Ruoma had been brought up by her grandmother since she lost her parents. Ruoma sells roast corns and takes bamboo curtain from the mountains to take care of her grandmother. Ruoma’s girlfriend Luoxia tells her that a city building is much taller than the mountains and that an elevator can reach the highest sky. Ruoma opens her surprised eyes when she hears Luoxia’s story about the outside world and she has a dream to take an elevator in the city. A young man named Aming who comes from a big city is managing a photography shop in this small town. He showers her with attention and promises to take her to the city elevator when they earn enough money. When Ming’s money runs out and he decides to leave town, Ruoma announces?much to his surprise?she’s going with him. The picturesque and exotic landscapes of southern China only add to the beauty of this sweet story. The film won a number of domestic awards and attended many international film festivals.
Admission is free.
