In the movie "In the Octagon Cage" directed and starring Wang Baoqiang himself, there is a particularly subtle presentation of the plot, and this depth of subtlety even makes people speculate that Wang Baoqiang may not have intended to shoot this clip. This is what he created into a revealing "debt collection play".
In the film, Xiang Tengfei, played by Wang Baoqiang, intends to demand compensation from the families of a group of children known as "bandit babies". He returns to their home with Ma Hu and Su Mu, but after seeing the situation of their family and his sister who is paralyzed in bed, Xiang Tengfei's anger instantly subsides, and his claim changes from asking for compensation to giving aid.
However, why is this rivalry between Xiang Tengfei and Su Mu's sister called obscure?
This is because in the plot, the dishonorable things that the audience cannot see are cleverly hidden, and only by paying attention to the role of "sister" can we truly understand the implicit nature of this plot.
The movie does not directly mention it, but it can be inferred from the plot that the sister is a tragic character who was defiled by the villagers and then gave birth to a child. This can be seen in the details of a crazy man appearing in her home at the beginning, to her seemingly immature and ignorant, but she already has children, no husband, and she has experienced a difficult birth during the process of giving birth.
Therefore, when Xiang Tengfei saw her, his tears couldn't help but flow, and the compensation he originally wanted turned into aid. His brother tried to protect her, but couldn't.
Compared to some films that deliberately use clothing, language, movements and shots to satisfy the curiosity of some people when depicting the pain of such female characters, Wang Baoqiang did not do this. He does not deliberately portray her tragedy, nor does he deliberately create an atmosphere of erotic seduction, which is a respect for women, movies, audiences, and real-life life facing death.
This is also why the role of "sister" has been warmly welcomed by a wide audience. They gain an understanding of harsh reality, while also preserving their inner innocence for naïve and ignorant children. Wang Baoqiang's respect and sincere attitude towards this role were also felt and appreciated by the audience.
Imagine that if this scene were realistically filmed, it might become a means of attracting audiences in other directors' films, but Wang Baoqiang did not do this.
Wang Baoqiang's handling of this scene feels very comfortable. In the play, the sister lies on the bed and says "I will find a way to lose you money", the meaning of this sentence is like the dark fragrance in the spring breeze, although it is not directly said, but through the situation before and after and some details, the audience can feel it.
For example, after a man leaves in a panic, his brother says "bully you again", the sister closes the door, her anxious expression, the body slowly lying down, and the hand that lifts the corner of the quilt, in just a few minutes of footage, this plot is handled with both subtlety and respect, and restraint is just right.
This restrained approach makes people feel that although Wang Baoqiang did not want to shoot this scene, he had to shoot it, because this is a key plot that carries on the past and the future. The sister's paralysis was due to difficult childbirth, which not only showed the suffering of the people at the bottom, but also protected their hearts, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
Discerning people should be able to see the meaning of this plot, so everyone will have deep sympathy and love for "sister".
These children living in the mountains have a very hard time, and their lives are full of helplessness. Wang Baoqiang used gentle and appropriate shots to portray the situation, neither over-exaggerating nor ignoring them, giving the character enough respect.
Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why movie lovers would consider this scene to be the most advanced segment of the entire movie. Xiang decided to take this group of children to learn martial arts and find a way out, and his decision was deeply influenced by this scene. Here is the turning point in the story, but also the embodiment of the warmth of human nature and deep compassion for the bottom of society.
Here, Wang Baoqiang uses subtle ways to guide the audience to think about the tragedy of "sister" and the impact of poverty and social oppression on individual lives. This approach makes the "debt collection drama" a profound social commentary.
As a director, Wang Baoqiang did not use a direct way to show the tragic fate of "sister", but let the audience feel and understand through delicate lens language and deeply rooted performances. This is also the unique implicit beauty of Wang Baoqiang's films.
Through this treatment in the film, we can see that Wang Baoqiang is not only an excellent actor, but also a director with depth and critical thinking. In his own way, he shows us the power of film art and how it can allow us to understand and think more deeply about human nature and society.
In general, the handling of this "debt collection drama" is very exquisite, fully reflecting Wang Baoqiang's directorial talent and his deep understanding of social issues. His films bring us not only entertainment, but also a deep reflection on life.