Watch Blind Mountain

Blind Mountain is a Chinese drama film released in 2007. Directed by Li Yang, the movie is a thought-provoking depiction of the plight of human trafficking in rural China. The film features Lu Huang, Youan Yang, and Yuling Zhang in the lead roles. The film follows the story of Bai Xuemei (played by Lu Huang), a college graduate who lives with her parents in rural China. Bai Xuemei is offered a job in a textile factory in the neighboring province by a friendly couple she meets on the train. With dreams of financial independence and freedom, Bai Xuemei accepts the offer and sets off with the couple. However, on reaching the factory, she realizes that she has been sold off as a bride to one of the local men in the village. She is trapped in a remote mountain area, and her passport is taken away.

Bai Xuemei is forced to do strenuous manual labor and work in the fields while also being subjected to physical and sexual abuse by her "husband" and his family. It is soon revealed that the man is not alone in this trade, as several other women have been trapped in the same manner. Bai Xuemei sees her fellow captives, like her, being subjected to inhumane living conditions and sexual abuse. Despite her attempts to escape, Bai Xuemei is caught every time, and her situation only worsens.

Throughout the movie, the director portrays the psychological and emotional trauma faced by Bai Xuemei and the other women. Li Yang uses his film-making skills to showcase the brutal realities of human trafficking in rural China. The director subtly highlights the nuances of the culture and the challenges of law enforcement in such areas.

The film is shot in a documentary-style, which adds to the realism of the story. The captivating performances by the cast, especially Lu Huang, leave an emotional impact on the viewers. The film score is sober, with a haunting melody that portrays the pain of Bai Xuemei and other women. The film uses an array of cinematic techniques to showcase the horrifying situation, including quick-cutting, shaky cam, and intense close-ups.

Blind Mountain, therefore, is an evocative tale of human suffering and exploitation, highlighting some of the grave human rights violations prevalent across China's hinterlands. The movie is a hard-hitting portrayal of contemporary slavery, and the filmmakers have done a commendable job of raising awareness of this distressing issue.

Overall, Blind Mountain is a well-made movie that is emotionally wrenching but essential viewing for those who wish to educate themselves about the reality of human trafficking. The film is a classic example of art as social commentary, and it is a must-watch for those who wish to delve into China's underbelly.

Blind Mountain is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 60.