Dragon Chow

Dragon Chow is a 1987 drama film co-written and directed by Jan Schütte, in his feature directorial debut. A co-production between West Germany and Switzerland, it premiered at the 44th Venice International Film Festival.

Cast

Bhasker as Shezad
Ric Young as Xiao
Buddy Uzzaman as Rashid
Wolf-Dietrich Sprenger as Herder
Ulrich Wildgruber as Udo
Frank Oladeinde as Dale

Production

The film was shot in black and white in Hamburg. It was produced by Novoskop Film, Probst Film and Bern Production.

Release

The film had its premiere at the 44th edition of the Venice Film Festival, in the Venice International Film Critics' Week, in which it won the Premio Cinecritica.

Reception

A contemporary Variety review described the film as 'a modest enterprise of surprising impact', and noted: ' Schutte’s film doesn't preach and doesn’t point accusing fingers inany specific direction, except to the vultures who make money out of the misfortune of others. In spite of the grim subject and unflattering scenery in which evolves, both direction and performances preserve a human, at times humorous dimension that works to the picture’s advantage'. La Stampa's film critic Lietta Tornabuoni also praised the film, referring to it as 'never overly-sentimental, poignant and moving, showing stylistic maturity'.
German film critic Harry Rowohlt wrote: 'The film ends on a sad note, of course, but it leaves you feeling happy: finally, a successful German film, neither too long nor too loud, subtle, yet well-made'.