Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

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I was clearing out my harddrive when I stumbled upon this movie. It’s been in the movie folder since last year and I remember downloading it because of the fresh faces and pensive title. I did not read the synopsis or any spoilers but experienced viewers will figure out the ending when the first hint is dropped. Annnnnddd I’m still crying as I write this review. It’s a movie that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. An achingly sense of loss envelops you because these kids are untainted and raw in their performances, binding you into their plights and struggles.

Chinese Title: 山楂树之恋
Cast: Zhou Dong Yu, Shawn Dou
Date Released: September 2010 (Mainland China)
Download Links: Small 300p AVI // Mirror // Softsub

NOTE: The following does not contain spoilers about the ending. But you’ll know, trust me. I’m giving out tissues at the other end of the tunnel. Meet you there. This crybaby managed to sucker punch me in the heart in the last 5 minutes.

What’s the movie about?

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Set against the violent backdrop of China’s cultural revolution period, director Zhang Yimou manages to create the simplest piece of film about the transience of youth, fear, and happiness. Under Mao’s stifling rule, citizens and families labeled as politically incorrect was severely questioned and punished. Unfortunately, that is what befalls the life of our leading lady – Jing Qiu (Zhou Dong Yu), a student whose dad is held prisoner, leaving her, her mother, and two younger siblings to fend for themselves. With her mother reduced to taking on menial jobs for a few cents, the family’s hopes for a better living arrangements are placed on Jing Qiu. As part of the re-education process to further the Cultural Revolution, Jing and a group of her classmates are sent to the countryside to learn from the farmers and peasants. Set on her goal of becoming a teacher, Jing must abide by the school’s strict regulations on proper behavior before her graduation. That means no romantic endeavors or suspicious outings that could be misconstrued by the vigilant eyes of society.

But of course, romance is what she finds in the village of Xiping, where she resides in the Village Head’s home.

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Meet our leading man, Sun Jian Xing (Shawn Dou), a geology student who’s very close to Village Head and often drops by for dinner. Known short for Sun throughout the movie, it signifies the actor’s charming and sunny disposition in the role. I don’t know about you guys, but he’s Taecyeon’s doppelganger. You see them pearly white teeth and jawline?!!

Lovely, natural hues of landscapes through the beautiful touch of director Zhang.

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Some of my favorite scenes:

As the story focuses on Jing’s personal growth as she experiences news things about the world and the handsome Sun, we get to see her come out of her shell, thanks to the eager Sun, who’s not shy in expressing his affections for her. With his well-to-do background, he’s the one giving the gifts. And often they are little things kids nowadays consider insignificant if not branded by Apple.

The awkward dance before sunrise. Jing’s innocence is portrayed perfectly by Zhou Dong Yu because the actress was a teenager when she filmed it, so her timorous nature is grounded by genuine emotions and naivety of the heart matters. Which is a big plus because such rawness cannot be found in an older, experienced actress.

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At her constant refusal to hold his hand and cross a small river, Sun uses a short stick as the middle man. Watch how his hand gradually move down the wooden piece and clutch hers. And then his satisfied smile. EEEE!!

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And I love how sharp Jing is, deducing that Sun must be around the city (after she has finished her re-education in the countryside) if he knows where she’s working. She follows Head Village’s son to the dock and finds smiley Sun there with him. When she thinks their boat is securely in the waters, she shouts to them, alerting them to be careful about the bag because she has placed money in it.

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To her surprise, happy Sun plops right into the river and SWIMS his way to her. She breaks into a bright smile and he hands her some money, advising her to buy a uniform for her volleyball team. You stalker! Sun could come off as creepy to many but Shawn’s honesty and devotion as Sun grounded him from crossing that line.

After that he hops right back into the river. Lol.

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The two secretly meeting over a year. The hug + conversation = ♥♥♥♥ Love that while she’s always the fearful one, she’s also the one excited about skinship. Here, she suggests they share his big jacket. hehe. But he, again, is the one to propose full frontal hug. This boy.

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Jing: “I still have a year of probation.”

Sun: “I’ll wait for you for one year and one month.”

Jing: “My mother won’t let me fall in love before I’m 25.”

Sun: “Then I’ll wait until you’re 25.”

Jing: “What if I still can’t be with you when I’m 25?”

Sun: “Then I’ll wait for you my whole life.”

She smiles and buries her face in the hollow of his neck. It’s so perfect – the angle of her head and smile on her lips.

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Sun invites Jing in a daring date – swimming in the river. While innocent, our girl is curious and always ready to ride on her impulses.

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Afterwards, she gives him a gift – a goldfish keychain. He can’t stop smiling at her and she basks in happiness mixed with embarrassment. Oh, the cute.

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Back to reality, Jing works hard to maintain a good image in order to get a job, even volunteering to repair the school’s basketball court. She has to constantly step around in lime and cement, producing cuts and sores on her feet. Look at the heartbreak in his eyes (!!) when he takes a look at her feet. I love you Shawn! Stop breaking my heart! Both of you!

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When she refuses to go to the doctor to treat the infection, he goes to the extreme to match her stubbornness. He cuts a small wound across his arm. They ride home in disguise. It’s wonderful to have eye smiles like Zhou Dong Yu. Very expressive in scenes like this.

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Soon, she doesn’t care about covering her face anymore.

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And of course, they have to stop where Mama is.

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Probably the second saddest scene in the movie. Sun is sat down by Jing’s mother and corrected into calling her Teacher Zhang. Gently and firmly, she requests the two to stop meeting each other until Jing is employed by the school. Non-verbally, she doesn’t want them involved.

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Not speaking a word the entire time, Jing’s face is crushed.

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Sun promises to stay away from Jing, his voice still carries an uplifting tone. He continues to smile brightly and requests one last thing. “I want to help Jing rewrap her bandage.”

Teacher Zhang agrees and shifts her attention to another task. Jing observes her mother dejectedly.

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Then she turns her attention to Sun and watches him carefully.

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But as the minutes drag on, Sun’s hopeful attitude crashes down as the magnitude of the separation drowns him. Still lowering his head, Jing manages to see the strain and tears on his face. This scene becomes much more heart-breaking than it is because 1) she instantly mirrors his agony, which kills me, and 2) Sun is usually the strong one, who’s always able to keep his sunny egg side up, so when a positive person like him silently breaks down, you know how vulnerable and devastated he must be.

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And I’m gonna stop here because the heat is coming back to my eyes already. It’s a beautiful relationship to watch as the two develop and take pieces from each other in a natural course of events. In his little ways, Sun encourages Jing to embrace desires and risks, he inspires her to believe in changes and freedom. When the reality of his situation becomes hard truth, Sun gradually dips in the waters that had once sunk its teeth in Jing’s head. Imbued with fear and uncertainty, he’s now the one repressing his desires because he believes she has better future, one where she will have kids and grow old….and… *sniff*

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And these two precious babies. Such sweet and tender chemistry. PLEASE, PLEASE DO A DRAMA TOGETHER. Now I have two more celebrities to stalk. Do I look like I have all the time in the world?

Shamelessly, I will share with you how I looked like by the end of the movie.

  1. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    Awesome. I can finally get a decent cry; I have been stocking up tissues for all the wrong reasons.

    Thanks Ace, and I’ll be back to comment more.

    P.S. Wah, you kept your V-Day mylar balloons till now Ace? It’s May, woman. Yes, trash it already. There, there. He was just a number. There are plenty of fishes in the sea. Hahahahahahaha~ Kidding. I like that giffy a lot. Saved it for a gloomy day. =D Thanks for the laugh.

  2. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    LOL keane, saving up for the wrong reasons.

    i don’t wanna cryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy but those screencaps look wonderfully giddy about first love…. 😀

    he does look like taecyeon!! omg!! even the ears and similar hairstyle. but he’s not as buff. she looks so young. ill save this for a rainy day. lols. i really don’t wanna cry!!

  3. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    thanks for sharing a lovely film. first saw the female lead in the goong movie and thought she and Chen Xiao was awesome together.

  4. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    I saw this movie back in December and after that it became and is currently my favorite movie. The simplicity, how real and raw this movie is is just pure perfection. The awkwardness between them is so cute. After watching this movie, I fell in love with Zhang Yimou’s talent even more than I already have. Great movie.

  5. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    Keane, I hope this movie is a good exercise for your eyes.

    Aww c’mon Frea! be a trooper! It’s a lovely movie. Reading my review (again) made me cry! Their crying faces always kill me.

    K9, yep, she’s wooing Chen Xiao next in a modern drama. How could she betray Sun like that?!! She’s supposed to remember and love him ONLY!

    adramafilledworld, AGREE!! I’m now very enamored with Director Zhang. Not many can make a simple love story so moving and breathtaking.

  6. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    Such a freakin sad movie!! How could recommend a movie like this to break my heart?!!! The last five minutes….I cannot believe he kept his promise until his last breath.

    Another part that I really like was the bed scene…..OMG. I love him! and He does look like kpop idol taecyeon. Those teeth and cheekbone!!

    They were absolutely beautiful to watch. Newbies kill this type of coming-of-age film. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!

  7. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    first i want to thank you for sharing this movie..im such a sucker for a sad love story and not to mention i really need to cry right now..to release my stress and all the stuff. this film is just a simple love story yet it shows how a pure their love is which you cannot find right now….
    im looking forward for your recommnedations….
    thanks

    • 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

      I’m glad you were able to release some stress and enjoy the simple love story. 🙂

  8. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    *sigh* why i feel like crying when reading this “Imbued with fear and uncertainty, he’s now the one repressing his desires because he believes she has better future, one where she will have kids and grow old….and… *sniff*”

    T^T

    okay,, this would be on my movies list! thank you 😀

  9. 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

    I just finished watching the movie with mum who also read the novel (also, thanks for the download link!). Basically, it left me in tears! It was such a lovely movie :’)

    Oh how I want a Shawn Dou and ZDY movie w/ a happy ending!

    • 11 thoughts on “Movie Date with Kap (30): Under the Hawthorn Tree

      See, I can’t watch this movie with my mom because then she’ll see my un-cool side, sobbing like a little fangirl.

      But yes! Some producer needs to cast these two together in a project with a happy ending! 🙁

What do you think?