Chinese indie electronic artist Peng Lei (of Beijing-based band New Pants [新裤子]) turns to film directing in this stylish DV Cam feature on love, sex, and longing amongst Chinese youth. What is striking about this film is Peng's use of amateur actors, purportedly selected over the course of the band's own tours around the country. While this production detail does give the stars and the dialogue a certain amount of freshness, I have to admit that the finished product left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Taki's numerous lesbian romances, for example, seem inauthentic and staged almost entirely for the benefit of male visual pleasure. The very thought of how this band collected their cast seemed a bit sleazy and exploitative. I mean, how did they actually go about this task? Approach good-looking women with the line, Hey, I'm working on this movie, and we need some actresses who are willing to get naked and kiss another girl. You wanna try out? Why don't you kiss that girl right there? If you can do it with enough passion, y'know, make it look COOL and HOT or something, maybe I'll put you in my movie. At least one scene seems to suggest that this is exactly how it went down. Give me a break! The only reason they could get away with this is because some guy in a popular band is asking...

On the other hand, I thought the heterosexual relationships between Chun and her various lovers were rather amusingly plotted. There is no full explanation as to why she's roaming the streets of Beijing like a prostitute, except that she is unable to come up with her next month's rent and is therefore desperately willing to shack up with any guy who would have her (but ideally, they have internet at home). Unfortunately, her selection consists of a slightly imbecilic man who still seems strangely pubescent, a pompous literature professor who fancies himself the next great modern Chinese poet, and a punk philosopher with his own warped ideas about romance. Each one is such a caricature, especially when offset against Chun's own deadpan expressions. I can only imagine that we are seeing her perception of each man. None are good enough for her, which is why nothing about love or sex seems beautiful until she meets Taki...

There's also a terrific scene with a stuffed animal. Perhaps the best use of a stuffed animal I've seen in some time. And that's all I'll say about that.