Shower (Xǐ zǎo) Zhang Yang's an independent 1999 Chinese comedy-drama film, directed by Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang
Shower is his second movie.
Production
Peter Loehr is an American film producer and executive who spent the bulk of his career in Asia. He founded the "Imar Film Company", an independent film production company in China. Tried to open Chinese crowds to independent movies, and to appeal to both local and global public.
Until then, almost all movies in China were produced by state-owned companies, were mostly about political propaganda, and the public was tired of it and deserted the movies theaters so were at lost.
Spicy Love Soup was the first movie directed by Zhang Yang, also the first movie produced by the production company, and the first Chinese independent movie getting commercial success: the movie became the second highest grossing film in China in 1998, right behind ''Titanic".
Shower
Inspired by the director's private life (the director is from Beijing). Shot on very low budget, difficulties hiring actors. The actors even took naps between shots on the beds available in the bathhouse on set.
Released first in the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the International Critics' Award (Fipresci Prize). “Shower” has received awards in Toronto, Thessaloniki, Rotterdam and San Sebastian as well as in China.
All 3 main actors famous in China.
Notes - title, etc
"Shower" is the symbol of modernity, opposed to the traditional, public baths. It's then a symbol for the main theme of the movie, in another country bulldozing people and buildings in the name of development.
Their futuristic public shower is a cross between an automated public restroom and a car wash, which not only required a team of aeronautical engineering students and $10,000, but also forced director Zhang Yang to literally put his ass on the line for the film – it’s his posterior you’ll see in the film’s first scene.