"Under the big political umbrella, a man is just like a leaf in the ocean, with no control of his destiny and does not have any choice"

This quote by Zhang Yimou speaks to the powerlessness of individuals in the face of larger political forces. It recommends that, when viewed from a larger viewpoint, people are unimportant and helpless. They resemble a leaf in the ocean, without any control over their fate and no choice in the matter. This speaks to the idea that, in the grand plan of things, individuals are helpless and their actions are unimportant. It also recommends that, in the face of bigger political forces, individuals are unable to make significant modification. This quote functions as a pointer that, while people may have some power in their own lives, they are ultimately powerless in the face of bigger political forces. It is a tip that, while people might have some control over their own lives, they are eventually powerless in the face of larger political forces.