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The protagonist of A Girl Unknown cannot be referred to by name simply because she is given so many throughout this film. The crucial years of her adolescence, though, are spent as Juanjuan, the name given to her by the foster parents who take her in from ages six through 18. In this household, Juanjuan channels the confusion and heartache of being separated from her family into mastering ballet. At the cusp of adulthood, she is faced with yet another unexpected change in family that forces her to, yet again, confront the pain of being A Girl Unknown. This is primarily a film of empty give-and-take; her middle adoptive mother provides relentless, unconditional love that Juanjuan continually refuses and combats. Their fraught relationship is stunningly acted by Li Gengxi and Shen Jiani, who imbue their heartbroken characters with a depth that solidifies this film as a moving, unforgettable melodrama. ~AK