Bus 44 (2001)

A Masterpiece!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

far to be comfortable, it is one of films changing perspective about well known realities. a man, a bus, a young woman, a robbery and rape, noble impulse and the passivity of passengers. and the end. shocking, surprising, strange in its serenity. because it becomes a touching story about sacrifice. like every simple story, it preserves a form of mystery who escapes to reviews. because each discovers in different manner the senses of story. because memories about media news about robberies in different parts of world, the Russian films about brutal violence are awaken by the images of "Bus 44".so, an useful film. for define. yourself.

The driver of the bus 44 stops the bus for a young man that tries to flirt with her, but she asks him to sit down. On her next stop, two thieves get on the bus and rob the passenger. One robber takes the bus driver to the bush to rape her. The young man summons the other passengers to help the driver but nobody moves. The young man fights against one of the robbers but is stabbed on the leg. When the rapist releases the bus driver, she gets on the bus but allow the young man to get in? Why, if he was the only person that tried to help her? "Che si shi si", a.k.a. "Bus 44", is a short with a story that is a sad reality in Third World Countries: thieves robbing buses and raping of women. This short is very well acted and directed and despite the predictable conclusion, it is worthwhile watching it in Internet. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): "Bus 44"

I was looking for more on this director after recently seeing his terrific feature length film "Waiting Alone". When I came across "Bus 44" I realized why there was such buzz about this short, and why it won so many prizes internationally! Though "Bus 44" is very different from "Waiting Alone" in style and content, it makes clear why this Dayyan Eng (aka "Wu Shixian") is recognized as a gifted writer and director. I won't go into details about the story--so that the subtle impact of the ending is not lessened--but just be ready to be surprised. Excellent acting by all the leads, especially the lovely Ms. Gong Beibi, and by the young man in the film, Wu Chao. Now that I've seen this, I trying to track down a copy of Director Eng's earlier award-winning short film "East 22nd Street" -- but I haven't had any luck yet. :-(

Saw this film at the Venice Film Festival last year and I must say it was the best short I saw at the festival. Bus 44 is an amazing film with superb acting, direction, and camera work. This gripping story is short, shocking, and to the point, not a minute too long (or short for that matter!) with a profound (and disturbing) statement of issues facing society. See it if it plays at a festival in your area. Look forward to seeing more work from this director.