Petition
2009 · 120 MIN · IMDB 7.7 · 367 VOTES · DIR. Zhao Liang
Overview
The dysfunctional Chinese justice system allows citizens with grievances against their local governments to petition the court to clear or correct their record. Yet in order to do so, the petitioners must travel to Beijing to file paperwork and wait an indefinite period to plead their case. Following the saga of a group of petitioners over the years of 1996 and 2008, Petition unfolds like a novel by Zola or Dickens. This was filmed surreptitiously from the point of view of the petitioners, and not the justice officials, the police, or those heavies sent by the municipalities.
Dialogue Timeline — 1,102 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:00:05 Dedicated to those in pursuit of their beliefs
00:04:30 and severance pay
00:07:18 Our statements were nowhere to be found
00:16:07 - Did you hand this to him? - I did.
00:20:34 We waited for over 50 days.
00:30:21 Arriving at the clinic, he was well!
00:34:36 We were passing the prison.
00:39:04 The Petition Hotel is 3 yuan a night.
00:43:51 How did your hearing go?
00:51:23 I asked for medical treatment
00:57:01 The peoples of China
01:01:46 Hey, girl! Move your feet! Put them somewhere else!
01:07:54 We were all together for petition.
01:11:06 to drape ourselves, to show our feelings
01:13:58 A plaintive of Huhhot, Inner Mongolia
01:17:51 "Whenever you need me, I'll come back. "
01:23:04 I replied, "They are for the memorial service.
01:25:45 They are unlike us. They seek interest and power
01:31:16 All luggage, toys, and gift items must go.
01:37:56 Mom!
01:44:19 I don't want it anymore.
01:49:42 My family wants me to go back.
01:53:15 I'll feel really bad for her.
01:57:14 I had to get the advice of a petitioner.
Cast & Characters
Dialogue Record
Lines indexed1,102
Dialogue density9.2 lines / min
First line00:00:05
Final line01:57:14
Production Record
DirectorZhao Liang
LanguageChinese
IMDb votes367