*Resurrection*

That is the new Chinese movie, noting that the original title translates better as “Feral/Wild Age,” and you can think of it as a retelling of the history of the 20th century, from a Straussian Chinese point of view.  Are parts also a retelling of the Buddha story, but what if a Buddha came to earth in contemporary times?  Toss in “Chinese Ghost Story” and some vampires, and you have a pretty strange mix.  Here is a good critical overview, including an interview with the director Bi Gan.

Scott Sumner noted he may well end up considering this to be his favorite movie of the decade.  Visually, it is one of the most interesting movies of the last twenty-five years.  Also, the attentive viewer will catch visual references to Dreyer, Uncle Boonmee, Stalker, Enter the Dragon, Rashomon, David Lynch, Matt Barney, and much more.  Resurrection is also a homage to cinema, and to the passing of cinema, I would say.

As for the plot, I still am not sure.  Perhaps it demands repeat viewings?  I do not feel it is a spoiler to tell you there is one character taking five different guises.  In any case, this is a major work of creative art and I am very glad I saw it.  Large screen is mandatory of course.