Petition Soundtrack (

Petition Soundtrack (2009) cover

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Rating: 7.90/10 from 351 votes
Alternate Names:
Title in Español:

Petition
Title in Italiano:

Petition
Title in Português:

Petition

Synopsis

The dysfunctional Chinese justice system allows citizens with grievances against their local governments to petition the court to clear or correct their record. Yet in order to do so, the petitioners must travel to Beijing to file paperwork and wait an indefinite period to plead their case. Even when they get a favorable ruling, they are often at the mercy of local officials to follow the ruling, and may have to petition again to get the ruling upheld. The large majority of petitioners are impoverished villagers who travel far to the capital and typically end up waiting desperately in decrepit shantytowns for their cases to be settled. Often they are chased and pressured to return home by thugs hired by local governments to dissuade the petitioners, lest the municipality get a bad name for corruption.

Following the saga of a group of petitioners over the years of 1996 and 2008, Petition unfolds like a novel by Zola or Dickens. Unwilling to accept defeat and seemingly unable to do anything but wait, the petitioners enter a strange and often terrifying zone, gradually losing touch with family and friends back home and with the cruel reality of their situation. This was filmed surreptitiously from the point of view of the petitioners, and not the justice officials, the police, or those heavies sent by the municipalities. And the film, but not the story largely ends when the petitioner's village is destroyed to make way for a new train station in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play Title Artist
Petition
Money for Nothing
Penny Lane - Remastered 2015
Killer Queen - Remastered 2011
Vincent
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Supermassive Black Hole
Pumped Up Kicks
Say It Ain't So
You're Somebody Else
The Middle
This December
Vienna
Tommy's Party
I Miss Having Sex But At Least I Don't Wanna Die Anymore
Snap Out Of It
Not What I Meant (feat. Lewis Watson)
Car Radio
Exit Music (For A Film)
Helena
Asleep - 2011 Remaster

User reviews

Ronald Garcia
5/10

The use of traditional Chinese instruments in the soundtrack adds an authentic and emotional layer to the storytelling, enhancing the viewers' connection to the characters' struggles.

Elizabeth Johnson
8/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Petition is a powerful and moving accompaniment to the film, enriching the storytelling and leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Robert Smith
5/10

The haunting melodies in the film's score evoke the feeling of isolation and abandonment that the petitioners face in their quest for justice.

Mary Evans
5/10

The soundtrack's somber tones reflect the heartbreaking reality of impoverished villagers who travel to Beijing seeking justice, only to be met with indifference and corruption.

Joshua Green
9/10

Each note of the soundtrack resonates with the emotional depth of the petitioners' stories, enhancing the viewer's connection to their plight and creating a truly immersive viewing experience.

Stephanie Martinez
10/10

The soundtrack of Petition is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the despair and resilience of the petitioners as they navigate the dysfunctional Chinese justice system.

Emily Taylor
5/10

The soundtrack of Petition effectively captures the sense of despair and hopelessness experienced by the petitioners as they navigate the dysfunctional Chinese justice system.

Mary Parker
5/10

The music in Petition creates a sense of tension and unease, mirroring the constant threat and pressure faced by the petitioners from local officials and hired thugs.

Melissa Roberts
3/10

The use of repetitive and generic background music throughout Petition detracts from the documentary's authenticity and impact. Instead of adding layers of complexity and nuance to the storytelling, the soundtrack feels like an afterthought, failing to elevate the viewer's engagement with the film's powerful narrative.

Emily Robinson
5/10

The music in Petition enhances the documentary's storytelling by underscoring the resilience and determination of the petitioners in the face of overwhelming odds.

Stephanie Perez
7/10

The music in Petition elevates the film to a higher level, enhancing the viewer's emotional connection to the characters and their heartbreaking journey.

Sarah Hill
6/10

The film's score effectively conveys the passage of time and the emotional toll that years of waiting and uncertainty take on the petitioners.

Michelle Moore
6/10

The emotional depth and complexity of the film are heightened by the evocative and poignant musical themes woven throughout the narrative.

Betty Lee
5/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Petition serves as a powerful and poignant accompaniment to the harrowing journey of the petitioners, capturing both their despair and their unwavering resolve.

Brian Gonzalez
8/10

The haunting melodies evoke a sense of loneliness and isolation experienced by the impoverished villagers who travel to Beijing seeking justice.

Linda Jones
1/10

The soundtrack of Petition fails to capture the emotional depth and intensity of the struggles faced by the petitioners in the film. The music feels disconnected from the harsh realities depicted on screen, missing the opportunity to enhance the viewer's empathy and understanding of the characters' plight.

John Young
8/10

The soundtrack's composition effectively conveys the passage of time and the gradual unraveling of the petitioners' hopes and dreams as they wait indefinitely for their cases to be settled.

Ashley Thomas
7/10

The use of traditional Chinese instruments adds an authentic and poignant touch to the soundtrack, enhancing the storytelling and immersing the audience in the petitioners' struggles.

Daniel Lopez
8/10

The soundtrack of Petition perfectly captures the emotional turmoil and desperation of the petitioners as they navigate the dysfunctional Chinese justice system.

Anthony Garcia
9/10

The music perfectly conveys the sense of uncertainty and tension that permeates the film, immersing the audience in the petitioners' struggle for justice in a corrupt system.

David Taylor
6/10

The soundtrack's use of dissonant chords and minimalist compositions mirrors the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the petitioners' struggle for justice.