<p>China’s rural coal towns typically enter the global consciousness only when a mine collapse traps or kills miners. <i>The Shaft</i>, 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.</p>
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</a>. This article first appeared in the January-February 2012 issue of <a title=”Utne Reader” href=”https://www.utne.com/subscribe/subscribe.aspx?promocode=EUTDNAZ2″ target=”_blank”>
<u>Utne Reader</u>
</a>.</p>
Film Review: Trapped
