Good Cats

Ying Liang’s bleakly comic story of a young man from the country trying to find opportunity in a new world order explores the impact of an unregulated, ends-justify-the-means capitalism on the lives of many (unprepared) Chinese today. Luo Liang works for “Boss Peng,” a ruthless property developer, and quickly adopts a morality symptomatic of much wider social trends. The title is slyly taken from former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's famous justification of free-market economics: “It doesn't matter if it is a black cat or a white cat. As long as it can catch mice, it's a good cat.” Ying's pointed response: “In a society dominated by these values, tragedies will be continuous.” “Ying’s invocation of the three destinies of modern Chinese man—as wanderer, corrupt boss or tragic loser—is enriched through sly wit, excellent work with nonprofessional actors, and his insertion of Chinese rock group Lamb’s Funeral into scenes where the band functions as a kind of Greek chorus to the proceedings.”—San Francisco Film Festival.

Free for members or with Museum admission. Film only: $8 general, $7 students and seniors.

Sharon Carstens, Professor of Anthropology and International Studies at Portland State University, will introduce the film and facilitate a post-film discussion.

Whitsell Auditorium