As Long as We Go East, a 2018 Chinese drama, explores the complex and evolving relationships between family members and their pursuit of happiness. The movie opens with the protagonist, Qiu Shui (played by Yao Chen), a young woman living in Beijing who is struggling with the pressures of her career and her marriage. Her sister Qiu Xia (Gao Yuanyuan) is about to be married in Italy to a wealthy Italian businessman, and Qiu Shui is tasked with overseeing the wedding preparations.
As Shui travels to Italy with her mother and grandmother, tensions between the family members rise to the surface. Her grandmother is generally unhappy with the way her life has turned out, and frequently bickers with her daughter over money, values, and the proper way to raise a family. Meanwhile, Shui begins to realize that she and her husband have grown apart, and is forced to confront the implications of a failing marriage. Xia, on the other hand, seems happy enough, but is reluctant to fully commit to her fiancé, causing her own internal conflict.
The themes of family and the pursuit of happiness are tackled with heart-wrenching earnestness in As Long as We Go East. The film successfully portrays the pressures that members of successive generations face, such as finding fulfillment in one's career while fulfilling familial expectations, and balancing personal desires with family obligations. The three generations of women in the Qiu family also struggle with the gap between the traditional values they have been taught and the modern, fast-paced world they find themselves in.
Despite the heavy themes, the movie is not without its moments of levity. The scenes showing the Chinese family interacting with their Italian counterparts are particularly amusing, as they fumble through cultural misunderstandings and try to navigate the unfamiliar traditions of Italian weddings.
The cinematography is also a highlight of As Long as We Go East. The stunning landscape of Tuscany, where the wedding is taking place, is showcased with beautiful shots of rolling hills and quaint, romantic villages dotted throughout the countryside. The visuals effectively transport viewers to a more idyllic world, contrasting with the hectic urban landscape of Beijing that Shui left behind.
The acting in the film is also top-notch. Yao Chen delivers a strong performance as the protagonist grappling with a personal crisis. Her character arc is perhaps the most pronounced of the family members, as she learns to acknowledge her own needs and desires, and decides to fight for them. Gao Yuanyuan is also notable, as she plays the lovable and impulsive younger sister who struggles with commitment issues. The two actresses have great chemistry on screen, and their sisterly bond is very realistic and portrays the complexities of sibling relationships.
The supporting cast is also exceptional, especially the actress playing the grandmother, who is convincing as the cranky and rough around the edges matriarch of the family. The actress playing Xia's fiancé is also noteworthy, as he portrays the confusion and frustration that can arise when two different cultures collide.
Overall, As Long as We Go East is a deeply moving and well-crafted film that explores both the struggles and joys of family life. The themes it tackles are universal in nature, making the movie relatable to audiences from all walks of life. The stunning visuals, strong performances, and nuanced storytelling come together to create a truly memorable film experience. The film may be slow-paced for some viewers, but its exploration of a common human experience is well worth the time investment.
