BEIJING BICYCLE
aka SHIQI SUI DE DAN CHE

Year: 2001
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Metro Tartan
Cast: Cui Lin, Li Bin, Lee Bin, Zhou Xun, Gao Yuanyuan, Li Shuang, Zhao Yiwei, Pang Yan, Zhou Fangfei, Li Mengnan, Jiayin Chang, Hui Wei, Ji Hua, Li Jian, Liu Lei, Ma Yuhong, Ren Hougang, Wang Yan, Xie Jian, Wang Yuzhong, Zhang Lei, Zhang Yang, Zhang Yu
Director: Wang Xiaoshuai
Countries: China / Taiwan / France
Language: Mandarin (English subtitles)
USA: 113 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for some violence and brief nudity
UK Certificate: PG contains mild bad language and violence
USA Release Date: 25 January 2002 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 28 June 2002
US Distributor

Synopsis

Set in modern day China, BEIJING BICYCLE is a poignant bitter-sweet tale that reveals the hardships of growing up in one of the most overpopulated cities of the world. Peasant lad Guei has moved to the city and become a bicycle courier, hoping to make his dreams come true. But schoolboy Jian needs a bike to impress his girlfriend and doesn't think twice about stealing one.

A deceptively simple fable about human nature, the award-winning film is a powerful study of pride, jealousy and the corruptive powers of capitalism. It gives the first real insight into a city unseen on film before. Reminiscent of De Sica's realist classic, Bicycle Thieves. Lyrical, touching and emotionally dramatic. A truly unforgettable experience.
DVD EXTRAS
scene selection
biographies
original trailer