First thoughts on Beijing Bicycle

The opening scene sets the tone for the whole story perfectly. Several country boys introduce themselves by name and origin, smiling and laughing, adorably nervous. They are unique individuals trying to find a place in the world with new opportunities. Immediately following this introduction, their manager strips them of their identities and humanity, having given them hair cuts and uniforms because now the boys represent the company, not their own interests. Four of the named boys fade into the background, further emphasizing the harsh class divide as the story focuses in on the protagonist. 

The theme of class divide runs through the whole plot as many of the characters begin the cutthroat dance of furthering their circumstances. Many characters are cheated out of their opportunities by those higher up than them.