Multimedia Collection
Rickshaw Boy (Loto Hsiang-tzu)
VHS
123 minutes
1982
PN1997 .L61 1983
This film is a screen adaptation of the novel by renowned writer Lao She. The story is set in the 1920s. Xiangzi, a simple and hardworking young peasant, comes to Beijing to work as a rickshaw boy. Sturdy and strong-willed, he works furiously for three years, at the end of which he manages to buy a rickshaw. However, at that time Beijing was a war-torn city where warlords incessantly fought each other. One day, Xiangzi with his rickshaw falls over a cliff and is wrecked. Xiangzi, narrowly escapes death and unexpectedly finds three stray camels. He sells them and returns to the rickshaw company. Thus, Xiangzi was nicknamed by his pals "Camel Xiangzi".
Huniu, daughter of the rickshaw company's owner, is still single though she is already in her mid-thirties. This sharp-tongued woman somehow falls in love with Xiangzi, who is ten years her junior. Huniu has made up her mind to marry him, and her will finally prevails over Xiangzi's reluctance. Not long after their marriage, however, Huniu dies in labour.
Xiangzi is left with nothing in this world. His spirit is broken by the burden of his misfortunes, and he becomes just another human wreck, cast about by the waves of evil in the old society.
Contact Us: (541) 737-2538,
