Story
The Nightingale is a French and Chinese co-production with English subtitles. It follows the story of a young girl named Ren Xing (Xin Yi Yang). When her workaholic parents go away on a lengthy trip, Ren is left in the care of her previously estranged grandfather Zhi Gen Zhu (Baotian Li). Zhi is a widower living in a small apartment in Beijing. At first Ren’s father isn’t happy about this arrangement. This is because Zhi briefly lost Ren in a crowded marketplace several years earlier.
Zhi decides to return to his hometown in the country and takes Ren with him. Ren is initially presented as a spoiled and selfish child who doesn’t want to part with the comforts of modern life. On their journey, the two carry Zhi’s pet nightingale in a beautiful cage. Although she isn’t happy about the journey, Ren starts to warm to her grandfather after they get lost in a forest one night. As their bond deepens, Ren finds herself wanting to stay with her grandfather because she feels free with him.
Zhi decides to return to his hometown in the country and takes Ren with him. Ren is initially presented as a spoiled and selfish child who doesn’t want to part with the comforts of modern life. On their journey, the two carry Zhi’s pet nightingale in a beautiful cage. Although she isn’t happy about the journey, Ren starts to warm to her grandfather after they get lost in a forest one night. As their bond deepens, Ren finds herself wanting to stay with her grandfather because she feels free with him.
Themes
Family relationships; consumerism
Violence
None of concern
Sexual references
None of concern
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
None of concern
Nudity and sexual activity
None of concern
Product placement
The Nightingale shows some Apple products.
Coarse language
None of concern
Ideas to discuss with your children
The Nightingale is a heart-warming story that takes place against the stunning backdrop of Guangxi in south-western China. Ren is a young girl who has been brought up in a highly consumerist society. She’s used to living in comfort, is quickly bored and needs constant stimulation from technology. The movie highlights the struggle she faces when her comforts are taken away and explores the rewarding nature of a life lived more simply.
This movie explores not only the generational differences between Ren and her grandfather, but also the difference in their values, goals and life experiences. Ultimately, the movie shows that the freedom of the peaceful countryside of Guangxi has far more to offer Ren than the fast-paced lifestyle of Beijing.
Children aged 10 years and over are most likely to understand the themes and appreciate the story in The Nightingale. Younger children are unlikely to be disturbed by anything in the movie, but it’s in Chinese with English subtitles, so it’s best suited to children who can read well.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:
- being open to trying new things and exploring new places
- not judging people before you get to know them, and always giving other people the benefit of the doubt
- being sensitive and compassionate towards other people.
The Nightingale could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the place of technology in modern life, and how it can influence people’s health and wellbeing.