She, A Chinese

In which our heroine, seeking to escape a life of rural drudgery and abusive relationships, travels ultimately to London, an alleged Mecca of consumerist glamour, only to be rudely disappointed. Newcomer Lu Huang delivers a Candide-like study in optimistic self-determination, essaying her experiences of life as a perpetual outsider. Gritty and tough, with an underlying sense of romantic yearning, this film is well served by stunning cinematography and a stand-out lead performance.