So Close to Paradise

So Close to Paradise simplified Chinese traditional Chinese pinyin Bindn, Gning is a 1998 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, a member of Chinese cinemas socalled Sixth Generation. It is alternatively known by the English title Ruans Song or by its original Chinese title, The Girl From Vietnam Chinese pinyin Yunn lide gning . The film was a coproduction of the Beijing Film Studio, and Beijing Jin Die Yingshi Yishu, as such, it is Wangs first major film production within the Chinese studio system. The films literal title, The PoleCarrier and the Girl, refers to two of the main characters played by Shi Yu and Wang Tong.

So Close to Paradise takes place in the 1980s in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. The film follows two young migrant workers. Young innocent Dong Zi Shi Yu is a pole carrier or coolie eking out a meager existence carrying heavy loads from place to place. His friend and roommate Gao Ping Guo Tao is from the same home village, but unlike Dong Zi, is older, more cynical, and has fallen into a life of petty crime. As the film begins, Gao has been cheated out of a small amount of money from a local gangster Su Wu Wu Tao. Enraged, Gao drags his friend into Wuhans underworld. Their first stop is a local bar, the Li Li Club where they go looking for Ruan Hong Wang Tong, a Vietnamese singer who is said to know Su Wu. After speaking with her, Gao and Dong kidnap the young woman and drag her to their apartment. Gao asks Dong to leave the room after which he proceeds to rape her, while Dong peers through a crack in the door. Soon afterwards, however, Gao and Ruan suddenly become lovers, much to Dong Zis surprise and consternation.As Gao and Ruan continue their relationship, Dong Zi becomes sullen and seemingly jealous, though it is unclear of whom. Later Ruan and Gao appear to get in a fight as Gao Ping continues to obsess over the small amount of money he has lost. Enraged, Ruan leaves the apartment with a curious Dong Zi in tow. The two talk throughout the night and Ruan reveals that she only wants to become a professional singer, though such dreams seem out of reach. She eventually returns to the apartment, but only to leave the phone number of Su Wu. ........

Source: Wikipedia