Growing Up During The Cultural Revolution

Variously tender and tough-minded, Xiao-Yen Wang's loosely autobiographical The Monkey Kid traces episodes in the life of a spirited nine-year-old girl growing up in the midst of the Cultural Revolution. Set in a 1970 Beijing of stark, slabby apartments, dingy side streets and doctrinaire schools, it celebrates independence and self-will, depicting how Chairman Mao's regimental reforms impacted on one child and her family.

Fu Di, a beguiling actress with short pigtails and a supremely effective, natural style, stars as Shi-Wei, whose playfulness belies a hard home life: With her father shipped to the country and her mother often away, the girl and her 11-year-old sister fend for themselves, cooking meals, doing homework and reporting dutifully to school.

But no amount of political conformity can suppress Shi-Wei's spirit, as she stops to throw snowballs, walk tightrope-style on the edge of an apartment balcony and face up to a gang of bullying boys.

Although this is not an overtly political story, Wang's surprisingly sweet film offers pointed commentary on a society where sweeping government mandates have the power to change lives inalterably.

* Following is a schedule of today's Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema events. Tickets are $7 unless noted. Available one hour before show at the theater or until 7 p.m. the day before screening at Upstages at the Shops at Liberty Place, 16th and Chestnut Streets; the Arts Bank, Broad and South Streets; and Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place. Tickets by phone: 215-893-1145. Information: 800-969-7392. Web site:

http://www.libertynet.org/ ihouse

THE MONKEY KID * * * Written and directed by Xiao-Yen Wang. Featuring Fu Di, Fang Shu, Yang Guang. In Mandarin with subtitles.

Running time: 1 hour, 35 mins.

Parent's guide: no MPAA rating (bullying)

Showing at: tonight at 7 at the Ritz at the Bourse, Fourth and Chestnut Streets, and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. Wang will attend both screenings.