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Poster for Breaking with Old Ideas

Breaking with Old Ideas

Seen it?

1975 | 122 min | Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Chinese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1975: an older pace and style.

The film tells the story of the Communist Labour College that opened in the 1960s. Long Guozheng, an emissary from the Communist government and Li Jinfeng, a female peasant student, must fight against the school's more conservative elements. In the film's climax, Li is put on trial and is about to be expelled from the school when she is saved by a pronouncement from Chairman Mao himself.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 3K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Li Wenhua

  • Zhenqing GuoLong Guozheng
  • Wang SuyaLi Jinfeng
  • Wen XiyingDeputy Secretary Tang
  • Ge CunzhuangSun Ziqing
  • Zhang ZhengOld Representative
  • Xu ZhanXu Niuzai
  • Hou GuanqunYu Gang
  • Hong XiangCao Xiaomei
  • Jian LiGranny
  • Zhou SenguanUncle Zhang