"Postmen of the Mountains" at I-House

“Postmen in the Mountains,” a 1999 Chinese film directed by Huo Jianqi, will be screened as part of the International Film Series, sponsored by the United Nations Association of Davis and International House.

 

The plot of the film follows a postman (Teng Rujun) who has spent his entire life delivering mail to rural communities in the mountains of Hunan and is about to hand the job over to his son (Liu Ye). The two of them have spent little time together, as the father was always gone on his long delivery walks: 112 kilometers over three days.

 

As the father walks the route one last time with his son and his faithful dog, the son learns much about his father’s life, especially his role in connecting villagers with the outside world. The son, in turn, relates how his mother worried during the father’s absences. The beauty of the scenery adds much to the journey.