'Kinamand' a soft, sad love story

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By Kristina Stafford

Grade: A- 

This film opens up grimly with Keld (Bjarne Henriksen) and his wife Rie (Charlotte Fich) having an unproductive conversation over breakfast about taking a vacation. Seemingly fed up with Keld's apathy, Rie packs her bags and moves in with her sister. 

Keld continues in his decline, ignoring his customers then closing his plumbing business altogether. He sells all of his and Rie's furniture and lives in the empty apartment. The mood in the movie gets increasingly more miserable with every scene, as Keld sits alone on the floor in his bare apartment. Eventually, Keld runs out of food, and begins eating out every evening at a Chinese Restaurant nearby.

One night, as Keld is eating his dinner, the pipes break in the Chinese Restaurant, and Keld helps the owner get the water under control. Feng (Lin Kun Wu), the restaurant owner, then asks Keld to re-do the plumbing for free food. Keld agrees, since he already eats there every night.  

After a while of working together, Feng and Keld become friends, and Feng asks Keld for a huge favor: to marry his sister so that she can get a visa to stay in the country. Feng explains that he will pay Keld $4,000 dollars, as well, but Keld initially refuses.

However, when faced with a divorce settlement from Rie, Keld goes back to Feng and asks for $8,000. Feng agrees. 

Feng's sister, Ling (Vivian Wu) marries Keld in a lavish ceremony, and then quickly moves into his apartment. Both Ling and Keld are extremely apprehensive of the plan, for obvious reasons, and go along with it hesitantly. As if this situation isn't difficult enough, Ling and Keld also have another obstacle to face: Ling speaks Chinese, and Keld speaks Dutch.

As the film progresses, depression and sorrow fade to cheerfulness and joy, as both of the characters learn of the others' language and culture. Ling and Keld's relationship also takes an unexpected turn - they begin to fall for each other. As Keld becomes more aware of Ling's beauty and grace, Ling discovers Keld's softer side. 

Vivian Wu is absolutely superb as Ling. In every shot, she exhibits nothing but class and charm. Her character, though she is sometimes quiet because of the language barrier, embodies the beauty of an Asian woman. She uses delicate gestures and beautiful movement to reveal her patience and kindness in every scene. 

This movie has many underlying meanings, and as such, incorporates many different elements into its plot. Immigration Laws, "Pro Forma" marriages, and interracial relationships top the list of controversial topics addressed in Kinamand.  Though the movie is bilingual, Director Henrik Ruben Genz does a great job of keeping the movie comprehensible.  

Kinamand - which is appropriately translated to "Chinaman" in English - is an unusual romance; however, it is a compelling one.  This movie will open up your mind to different cultures, whilst softening your heart with love.

Originally Published: Issue 822 - November 4, 2009

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