859. Hsimeng Jensheng

Hsimeng Jensheng
The Puppetmaster
1993
Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien

I told my sister I had to get off the phone last night so I could finish a two and a half hour Taiwanese biopic about the life of a puppeteer.  I don't think I inspired a lot of envy with that statement.

The film tells the story of Li Tian-lu who became a puppeteer during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan.  That's pretty much it.  The only slightly interesting/sleazy thing about the movie was that he took a mistress.

The historical context was somewhat intriguing, but the rest of this film was incredibly dull.  I have never really had even the slightest interest in puppets (I have an aversion to all things Muppets).  The puppet shows actually got on my nerves a lot because of the incessant gong hitting.  I suppose it was the only music they could provide but it got to be headache inducing.  Sorry puppet people.

Sorry for the short review, but this movie just didn't leave a lasting impression.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The second film in Hou's historical trilogy.

811. Beiqing Chengshi

Beiqing Chengshi
A City of Sadness
1989
Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien

The previous Hsiao-Hsien film on the List was A Time To Live, A Time To Die.  It was quite boring to sit through, although at least I had some idea what was happening on screen.  I will blame the age old scapegoat for my stupidity and confusion: the subtitles.

The film kind of feels like a history lesson, attempted to be related in an entertaining way.  As I don't feel like writing an essay on White Terror, I won't go into too much detail.  Basically, the movie tells the story of a Taiwanese family during the period of White Terror which followed the February 28 massacre.  If you don't have a useless Asian history minor like me, that sentence will require some googling.  I don't know what I am bragging about, though, because I still had no idea what was going on.

So yes, I got bored fairly quickly as I realized right away I was lost and the subtitles weren't going to help clear up my confusion.  It did look beautiful at least. I feel like I just sat through a two and a half hour lecture.  Informative?  Perhaps.  Entertaining?  Not at all.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

First Taiwanese film to be shot in direct sound.

728. Tong Nien Wang Shi

Tong Nien Wang Shi,
A Time To Live, A Time To Die
1985
Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien

I am so excited to be done with this film that I feel like jumping for joy.  Since I am still not allowed to put weight on my leg, I will content myself with stuffing in a handful skittles, which is clearly the much healthier option.

This coming of age story follows a young boy named Ah-hsiao, who lives a rather idyllic life until the death of his father forces him to grow up.  He gets involved in a bad crowd and must decide if he should follow the path laid out to him by his family or the path he chooses for himself.

Nothing really happens in this film, at least, nothing that could justify its 138 minute run time.  I was tremendously bored throughout the movie.  The most interesting thing that happened was when one of Ah-hsiao's family members walks on his hands for a couple minutes.  I also thought the score was strange in this film.  At one point the music sounded so out of place that I thought I had another window open on my laptop and the audio was coming from a different source.

It is interesting to have Taiwan represented on the List and if this is the best of the group, I suppose it is a necessary inclusion.  Still, way too dull to recommend in good conscience.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Partly autobiographical.