Yu Xiuhua's poetry has taken the world by storm, leading to her recognition as one of China's most significant contemporary poets. The biographical documentary Still Tomorrow, directed by Jian Fan, tells the story of her life and the obstacles she had to overcome to achieve this recognition. Born in the rural province of Hubei, Yu Xiuhua suffers from cerebral palsy and lives with her parents in a small rural village. Despite the odds stacked against her, she develops a powerful sense of self and a passion for poetry early on in life. Her life takes an unexpected turn when an online poetry competition brings her work to the attention of a wider audience, propelling her from obscurity to internet fame.
Joined by her husband Yu Wenhai, the documentary captures her daily struggles with her disability and her fight to be recognized as a poet. Her poems, which have been translated into various languages, touch upon taboo subjects such as female desire and sexuality, gender inequality, and societal expectations of Chinese women. Yu's poetry resonates with those who encounter it, leading to encounters with literary figures and dignitaries, including leading French intellectual Bernard Henri-Levy.
Still Tomorrow is a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the creative spirit. It is not just a celebration of Yu's success but a tribute to her perseverance in the face of adversity. The film takes place in the backdrop of the Chinese countryside, which further emphasizes the tone of the movie.
The documentary works on multiple levels, making it both insightful and engaging. For literary enthusiasts, it provides a unique opportunity to learn more about Chinese poetry and some of the cultural nuances that inform it. Still Tomorrow is also an entertaining and inspiring look at the life of a remarkable individual who has overcome incredible obstacles to achieve international recognition for her art.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of the documentary is its unapologetic focus on the realities of living with a disability in China. It doesn't shy away from showcasing the practical difficulties of Yu's daily life, such as navigating the narrow streets of her village, dealing with unsanitary facilities, and relying on her husband to move around. These struggles bring home the fact that despite the buzz surrounding her career, Yu's life is far from easy, and her circumstances have meant that she faces greater difficulties than most in achieving this kind of recognition.
The documentary is visually stunning, with breathtaking aerial shots of the Chinese countryside and intimate moments between Yu and her husband adding to its visual appeal. The film's soundtrack is also hauntingly beautiful, complementing the beautifully structured narrative to perfection.
In conclusion, Still Tomorrow brings the life of a woman who's been dealt a difficult hand, but has made the most of it into the limelight. It is a celebration of the human spirit, of the power of art to heal, the transformative power of love, and the ability of a single individual to make a significant impact on the world. It is an uplifting experience and a must-see for anyone interested in Chinese poetry, biographical documentaries, or the human experience.
Still Tomorrow is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.
