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National Customs

Name: National Customs
Director: Ming-Yau Lo, Zhu Shilin
Released: 1935
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

6.4/10

Good

1935

Director

Ming-Yau Lo, Zhu Shilin

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

National Customs stands as a sophisticated piece of social commentary that breaks away from the typical clichés of its time. By highlighting female ambition and professional success, the film challenges the patriarchal structures prevalent in 1930s China. The narrative skillfully captures the tension between state-driven traditionalism and the emerging modern identity of Shanghai. This results in a nuanced exploration of individual freedom versus societal reform. While the film excels in critiquing gender roles and cultural dynamics, it falls short in representing diverse identities, such as LGBTQ+ characters or those with disabilities.

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Category Breakdown

Does National Customs have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly depict non-straight relationships or same-sex intimacy. The romantic subplot focuses on the sisters' interest in their cousin, Zuo.

How does National Customs portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional gender roles by centering two ambitious sisters whose goals extend beyond marriage. A female principal is shown in a position of institutional authority, which is uncommon.

How racially and ethnically diverse is National Customs?

Good

The film presents a localized, indigenous perspective that resists Western influence. It examines identity through the tension between rural traditions and urban modernity in Shanghai.

How does National Customs represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative critiques state-mandated social reforms like the New Life Movement. It highlights the conflict between individual freedom and the restrictive morality of traditional institutions.

Does National Customs include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters in the film dealing with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Strong portrayal of female ambition and professional success.
Nuanced critique of state-imposed morality and traditional institutions.
Effective exploration of the tension between rural and urban identities.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit representation for LGBTQ+ identities.
No characters dealing with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

In 1930, two sisters from the countryside, the serious Zhang Lan and the frivolous Zhang Tao graduate from secondary school where their mother Zhang Jie serves as principal. They both love their cousin Zuo, but have ambitions other than marriage. Their lives change dramatically when both attend university in Shanghai and encounter modern urban life and rapidly changing society. The film also depicts the emergence of Chiang Kai-shek's 1934 New Life Movement. Lianhua Film Studio did the film to appease the Nationalist Party which accused it of primarily presenting left-wing films, which was true.

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