'Riding Alone for a Thousand Miles' is work of wonderful art. Not only does it have a heart felt story the cinematography is quite compelling.It is about a estranged relationship between a father, Gouichi Takada, and son, Kiichi. They have not communicated for years-until things become life or death. The daughter in law calls Takada and tells him that his son has terminal cancer. Kiichi still does not want to see his father, so Takada goes on a mission to China. He tries to do a kind gesture of recording a folk song for his dying son, only to encounter numerous obstacles of language, time, and governmental red tape.The content of the story is as strong as the style. The effect of the film is a mark of a master of style and technique. Take into consideration the contrast in the shots between China compared to that of Japan. Somewhat of a subtle change, yet one that the viewer can feel.For instance, in the beginning of the movie there is visually stunning scene. Takada is sitting on a remote cold beach. There is a grey sky and streams of dusty light pierce the dark clouds. The dark navy ocean breaks against the black, charcoal rocks. Later when we see him shovel snow, the only grass is the dead dull yellows patches here and there in the frame. The images look flat and blurry. Perhaps shot with a long lens.Another example of this is when the daughter-in-law is on the phone with Takada. She learns that he in China and she wants him to come back to Japan. She blends in to her environment which lacks color. Or when she stands on the balcony, she is in a grey dress and dark jacket. The sky is overcast and the trees are a grey brown. The palette is of limited colors that range from muted grey to dull blues.On the hand, scenes in China are colorful and much more lively. For example, when Lingo takes Takada to buy a silk banner. There are robust images of brilliant reds and striking yellows. The sky in China is a shade of jade blue with white fluffy clouds. Not at all like the sky that is shown in Japan.Furthermore, when Lingo and Takada are on their way to Stone Village, they are picked up by an old truck. They are standing along side women who have colorful scarves of pink, green, orange and red. There is also green leaves and branches that are in baskets tied to the truck. This vibrant color was not seen in the shots of Japan either. Seems like scenes in China have deep focus too.There is a contrast between Japan and China. Yet, they are quite subtle and do not pull us out of the story. They just seem to feel different. This detail, again is the work of a director who really knows their craft.

Riding alone for 1000 miles gives a great example of all the standard relationships between father and son. Father have always loved their sons and Yimoy is trying to show this love form a father for his son. He did a great job og showing the father regret fot what he has done for his son. Also how he is going to make it up to his son. It is hard for a man to swallow his pride, but in this film Yimoy shows that even thought it is hard, but his son is more important to him him than his pride. also the sons understanding of his father pain at the end of the movie is admirable. The son knows that they both made mistake in their relationsship, but because of his love for his dad he tends to forget.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. It makes you laugh with cute jokes and jabs, and it makes you cry with heart breaking realities. Ken Takakura says little in the movie, but you can tell every thought that goes through his mind as he goes along his journey of atonement for his son. The simple task that he goes to perform turns into a long drawn out journey that eventually leads to him finding peace with his past wrongdoings and learning more about his son's life, which had formally been a distant, almost nonexistent relationship. We see the determination and patience that this man goes through to achieve his goal, even when it is apparent that his task is near impossible and inconvenient to achieve. Yimou Zhang fills the screen with the beautiful landscapes of China and uses everything in the scene to his advantage. The casting of the villagers and the little boy was done perfectly as well. I found myself falling in love with the little boy, even through his stubbornness and young determination. This movie is a great experience to enjoy for everyone and will make you redefine your close relationships and will make you want to equate your life accordingly.

Of all the international films that I have had the opportunity to view thus far, this one has had the most reflective components. Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles shows us the importance love, maintaining good relationships with both family and friends and the concept of time.The story is simplistically executed but powerful nonetheless. Zhang Yimou has carefully crafted a stunning film portraying the differences between the Japanese and the Chinese culture. The use of cinematic mechanisms also contributes to the dramatic nature of the film.This film will leave you with lifetime lessons about life and its core principles. There are no magical or exaggerated computer representations but simple, pure and effective shots that leave striking images in your mind.