With all the hype this film’s been getting, I expected to be in for a real treat. Not so. Choppy scenes, melodramatic scenarios, underdeveloped characters and sub-plots left me disappointed. Elizabeth, Li Cunxin’s wife, for example, was a grossly underdeveloped character (who was after all, the reason for Li Cunxin’s defection} and we hardly heard a word from Mary ( Cunxin’s new prima ballerina and future wife) who featured with him in the most of the supposedly heart tugging scenes.

The bloke with the mustache (I forgot his name) and the old American tart did not serve the development of the plot at all. The film could have been made without them, and would have been no less for it. As for master Chen. Where did he come from? A few lines and a few tears, and he was gone, until the end.

There are people who go for the emotional pay-off without much thought ( probably those who’ve read the book). But I kept trying to put it all together. For me the pay-off was not matched by what preceded it; it seemed disingenuous.

Was Li Cunxin a heartless opportunist.? I mean, firstly, he marries Elizabeth because he wants to stay in America, which would mean he’d NEVER be allowed back to China to visit his parents. Secondly, he leaves her because he wants to advance his career! He didn’t even put up a fight! When his parents arrived for the big performance, Li’s emotional response was over the top.

If he’d DONE SOMETHING, risking all just to see his parents before they died, then the pay-off would have been earned. But it wasn’t. Nor was the second pay-off when he visited ‘master’ Chan. This was so contrived, I felt like laughing, and did…

I think I’ll do a temp rough cut and then go all out on the recruiting thing. The only thing I really need now is a researcher and it’s not a lot of work to be done. Just a few facts and figures. Hopefully someone will step up.

Have you considered approaching unis or film schools for assistance?

Being inexperienced in filmmaking, I feel the need to prove myself (and see if I can actually put together something interesting and coherent) before I stick my hand out for funding.

When I have a rough cut (and if it shows promise), I might apply for completion funding. There will be costs like legal, music rights, titles, cgi etc.

However, part of me thinks it might be more trouble than its worth. On the other hand, it could be good for the documentary to go through the process.

I was really hoping that I might get a few volunteers who are as passionate about the subject as I am. So far, no bites, but anyone is interested in donating your services to a no budget independent film, shoot me an email (contact@nothingbutthestruth.com)