When Ruoma Was Seventeen

Running time: 88 mins

As another day dawns deep in the mountains of the Chinese Hani tribe, Ruoma wakes up to her seventeenth birthday. Just another day of selling sweet corn in the local village market and smiling for the cameras of tourists. That is, until she catches the eye of Ming, a struggling young photographer. Noticing RuomaÕs popularity, Ming hits on the idea of cashing in on her bright smile by having her pose with tourists against the scenic vistas of the Yunnan valley. Ruoma, who dreams of going to the big city and "riding in a glass elevator," jumps at the opportunity. But will her ambition overwhelm her love for her family and friends? Zhang JiaruiÕs film debut, When Ruoma Was Seventeen, is a serene and perceptive study of how a young womanÕs romantic awakening is complicated by her cultural roots. Making ravishing use of both the Chinese landscape and the traditions of the Hani tribe, the film follows in the steps of such eye-openers as Fei XieÕs A Girl From Hunan and Zhang YimouÕs Red Sorghum. - Fernando F. Croce