Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a brief, uncredited appearance in The Story Of Qui Ju as a poster jockeying for position amongst the ubiquitous images of Chairman Mao. Zhang Yimou's previous, much lauded films (Red Sorghum, Raise The Red Lantern and Ju Dou) were each elegant, studied period pieces that depicted China as a nation trapped by historical, internal repressions. For his latest film, he has plunged into the twentieth century and transformed both his cinematic style and his leading lady to give us a vivid, ironic depiction of modern China.

Gong Li is virtually unrecognisable from her previous roles as beautiful wives and courtesans, appearing here as a pregnant peasant, stubbornly seeking to redress a minor wrong through layers of polite but frustrating bureaucracy. It is a quest lacking in drama, yet Zhang Yimou renders it compelling.

Gone are the static cameras and awesome tableau of his early work: instead he matches modern times with modern methods, shooting with a bobbing, rough hewn ciné-verité approach and placing his handful of actors in with genuine villagers and officials, many filmed unaares by hidden cameras. But this is no Jeremy Beadle exercise in practical joking, even shooting on the run, Yimou displays astonishing visual flair and, in his dealings with unwitting amateurs, sensitivity and compassion.

It is hard to tell whether the film is intended as a critique or celebration. It certainly contains the politest group of people ever gathered together for one movie, with even the bureaucrats being as smilingly helpful as they can. Yimou's previous films, although lauded abroad, were banned by Chinese authorities fearful of the undercurrent of criticism of the Chinese way of life.

Qui Ju, on the other hand, got an official seal of approval, which Zimou has perhaps earned by trading in tragedy for irony and travelogue for drama. Yet there could hardly be a more invigorating introduction to this contradictory and colourful world.

RATING: * * * *