The style reminded me so much of Zhang Yimou's "Not One Less" - the way that it was directed with nonactors (only two of the characters were professional actors), the teaching of school children in the country side, and the contrast between the lifestyles of rural and urban China. In fact, I'm pretty sure that one of the locations in the city is a location in Not One Less the broadcast station. I'm wondering whether or not the obvious influences are intentional, since this movie seemed to be receiving warm praise. I would hate to learn that the director did not realize the similarities between this and Not One Less, since Zhang Yimou's present influence seemed to be somewhat overt to me. The way in which it is shot mostly with wide lenses with a deemphasis on the shot in order to normalize and situate the film as a socialistic commentary on modern day China definitely owes much to the 5th gen directors Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and others (at least in my opinion). I don't think this film is anywhere near the level that those experienced veterans are used to making, but it's a good effort. I think the biggest thing that it lacks is fluency between scenes and I think that that is a burden the actors have to carry. It's difficult to direct nonactors (imagine being abducted to act for a month, i'm surprised they weren't terrified 100% of the time). He actually used real policemen, hospital workers, and rural villagers and although they don't have to pretend to be anyone other than themselves, it can be dangerous if these characters have a presence in the movie because they have to be able to carry on the story in their own way as well. Even minor roles have motivations and emotional arcs, but it seems as if these people have lost them, and are acting from a shot to shot basis without any idea of how the overall story is like. I'm glad I got to see this film though, despite the acting, because it gives me a chance to see how important the element of directing your actors are. And I definitely respect the choice of using nonactors. It seems to be a characteristic feature of many of these kinds of international films. Besides, these people have a realistic understanding of the micro-cosmic world of which we so easily play critic from afar. You just have to know how to tap into it.
