Bei zhu baba shangxue qu

Zhou Youchao, assistant on Zhang Yimou's Ju Dou and Red Sorghum, directed this Chinese drama set in rural China where a father spins a spoon to choose which of his two children will attend school. Shiwa's sister loses out, but she supports her younger brother nevertheless. A river divides the farm from the school, and Shiwa's dread at crossing the river is a legitimate fear, as indicated by the death of his female classmate in the water. Shiwa finds that the knowledge he acquires actually serves to distance him from others. Returning home one day, he learns that his father married off his sister without bothering to inform him. After scoring in a chemistry competition, Shiwa must make a decision about his own future education in the city. Shown in competition at the 1998 Montreal World Film Festival. - Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide