Film Review: Trapped

THE SHAFT (on DVD; Global Lens Collection)

by Keith Goetzman
January-February 2012

Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS

China’s rural coal towns typically enter the global consciousness only when a mine collapse traps or kills miners. The Shaft, a drama set in one such town, depicts a different sort of slow suffocation, wrought by social and economic stagnation. A triptych tells the tales of three family members: a daughter accused of an affair and forced into an arranged marriage; her brother, who harbors impossible dreams of being a pop star; and their father, whose hard life is fast coming to a close. Compositionally gorgeous and emotionally reserved, the film seethes with a slowly devastating tension.

RELATED CONTENT

 

 

Cover-169-thumb.jpgHave something to say? Send a letter to editor@utne.com. This article first appeared in the January-February 2012 issue of Utne Reader.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print


Archived Comments

2147492184
MY COMMUNITY
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*


(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!