EVE & THE FIRE HORSE

EVE & THE FIRE HORSE (2005)

RATING-PG (Canadian). Family friendly but some content may go over the heads of young children.

STARRING-Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor & The Joy Luck Club) & two very cute and talented Chinese girls.

THEME-A child's quest for spiritual meaning. A very traditional Chinese Buddhist immigrant family struggles to deal with a clash between culture and religion.

AWARDS-Numerous awards and nominations at various film festivals including Sundance.

STORY-At home this Chinese family with Grandmother, Mom & Dad & two daughters, 9 and 11, and Uncle & Aunt with teenage cousins practice their ancient Buddhism, speaking Chinese and making amends to the gods when they are offended. At school, the two young girls are learning what it means to be a good Roman Catholic. Karena, the 11 year old takes the Catholicism very seriously and brings it into the home where crucifixes start showing up next to Buddha. Eve, who was born in the year of the Fire Horse (children born in that year are notorious troublemakers according to traditon) tries to deal with the guilt she feels when Grandma dies and she feels responsible. She and the rest of the family are caught between Buddha & Jesus. Eve also has a wild imagination when it comes to spiritual things. This is a wonderfully done and very sensitive film. It does not glamorize or demonize either religion. I can imagine this playing out exactly like this in thousands of homes across Canada (they live in Vancouver) and America where culture and religion are clashing. One scene is a great example. Dad comes home after an extended trip home to China. At dinner he begins to eat and Karena stops him, 'Dad, we have to say grace before we eat' and prays the prayer she's learned at school. Dad looks at the family and says, 'How long have I been gone'? The two scenes where Karena tries to convert two of her friends to Catholicism are priceless and alone worth watching. You'll laugh and cry at the same time. While many may want to debate the theological implications of the film, it is arguably as good a depiction of children and faith as has been produced in a long time or maybe ever. An outstanding film.

OTHERS- Roger Ebert: 'Luminous! One of the most beloved films at Sundance.' Globe & Mail: 'One of the most enchanting and memorable films made in this country.'

LINKS- IMBD AMAZON