On the Beat is a subtly subversive portrayal of the Beijing city of the nineties, a desolate landscape of imposing skyscrapers sprouting out of stretches of improverished houses. Ning Ying likes to capture the collective with long shots, but when the camera enters into private space, faces become distinguishable - homes liberate individuals from their social oneness. Ironically though, home is also an accomplice of the state machine; it is here that parents help to mould their children into "befitting " parts of the society. In the last sequence where the policemen relentlessly beat the stray dog to death, the camera slowly pulls back, showing majestic ancient buildings in the background; human behaviour cannot be explained without reference to history and culture. (Wong Ain-Ling)