Introduction
The film Qiu Ju revolves around two people who are very stubborn. This includes Qui Ju and the political leader or head. In the film, Qiu Ju heads to the police chief to demand an apology from the political leader who caused physical harm to her husband. Because of her persistence, the police officer is forced to settle the matter. However, the political leader ends up behaving in an unwelcoming manner by throwing the compensation money on the Qiu Ju’s feet. In a counter reaction, Qiu Ju refuses to take the compensation money and decides to launch an appeal case with the regional leader. On the other hand, the film Ermo involves a story of a woman with a quest for satisfaction in the new age of technological advancement in China. Ermo is mainly driven by the need for financial and commercial success. In essence, she is the exact depiction of the desire for a better life where she can access the most luxurious items that technology can offer. However, she later finds herself preoccupied with the obsession for good life thus; hurting those around her. Ermo beliefs in technology to change her life; however, later on in life, she reflects and realizes all her pursuits did not lead to a happy or simple life that she anticipated. In this film, Ermo depicts China and the lack of happiness in that country. China at present is on the verge of becoming the world’s superpower. However, to Ermo, being the best is something that is not achieved easily. It is possible that the technological surge in China could result in people experiencing a technological burnout. This is somehow similar to what has happened to Ermo. She gave up on the mind of the western culture.
On the other hand, Qiu Ju depicts a society where finding justice as a woman is difficult because of bureaucracy. In essence, this film provides the audience with a glimpse into the judicial system in China. The village depicted in this film shows how life in the village is serene, but Qiu Ju gets a culture shock when she traveled to the regional capital where she is conned by a cab driver. In China, it seems pride plays a considerable part in denying the disadvantaged justice. This is evident on how Qui Ju unsuccessful searches for justice in vain. This film further depicts how patriarchy is entrenched in China. In a patriarchal society, women are often looked down upon and do not have authority in a society dominated by men. From this film, it also seems that instead of suing a person, they rather ask for an apology from the wrongdoer. This is evident in Qui Ju insistence for an apology from the political leader. This film further introduces the audience to the village justice where people are forced to reach a compromise as a way of solving their cases. It seems that in order to get conventional Justice for villagers in China, one has to travel to the cities where state courts have been established.
Conversely, Ermo on her part tries to eliminate gender politics in terms of identifying that power comes with the money. Ermo further acts as a depiction of how embracing the western pop culture is corrupting. On another note, Ermo refuses to take the role of a woman as constructed in the Chinese society. However, Ermo is obsessed with embracing modernity contrary to the old traditions and culture. In a similar way to Qiu Ju, Ermo takes the role of a wife and a mother. However, her main motivation is influenced by being competitive in life. This seems to be the opposite of what tradition requires of women in the Chinese society. Within this film, audiences are introduced to a relationship that exist between sexual politics and entrepreneurship. Ermo compared to Qiu Ju represents the modern woman in the modern China. As a result of rapid economic growth, China is now experiencing a shift of androgyny where a woman has an opportunity to get employment. In addition, modernity has changed Ermo into a woman who is particulate with self-identity and embracing consumerism. The present society depicted in the film Ermo is a capitalist society which can be associated with the distorted thinking emanating from the old society. This has further resulted in doubling gender roles. For instance, Ermo finds herself caught up in the western pop culture. In a patriarchal society, it is uncommon to find a woman to gain power and influence in the society. This is seen as a threat to the male dominated society. However, modernity has shifted the old culture where women have more liberty compared to the old days. This is evident in Ermo’s desire to earn money so as to buy a TV. This forces Ermo to look for work and combining the roles expected of her as a woman in the home.
It puts much anxiety on Ermo, which can only be calmed by making extra cash, and makes Ermo’s feel much better, but only perpetuates the role reversal and level of responsibility, which she has to deal with that put her in this state in the first place. Ermo's drive towards capitalism in an effort to make her life better has made it more complicated.
Similarity between the film Qiu Ju and Ermo
Differences between Qiu Ju and Ermo
Qiu Ju seems to be set in the older Chinese culture where women are supposed to be submissive to men. However, Ermo seems to be set in a period when women seem to overcome the dominance by men. Qiu Ju seems to be the village woman whose responsibility is to take care of her husband. On the other hand, Ermo seems to have embraced the western pop culture and is interested in more luxurious things such as television. It is clear that Qiu Ju is still a naïve woman from the village who is unaware of the shift in culture. However, Ermo has embraced the capitalist culture and is aware that money is the route to happiness.
Conclusion
Both this film are set in China and revolves around the life of women in a society that is emerging from male dominance. However, the films provide contrast of the Chinese society where patriarchy is still dominant such as the village and how modernity is leading women to become independent from their husbands.
Bibliography
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