This Taiwanese was one I found listed in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I read that it was a bloody long film, but also it was rated highly by critics, I was prepared to try it, directed by Edward Yang (A One and a Two (Yi Yi)). Based on a true story, one that shook the nation, it is set in the early 1960s, taking place over four years in Taiwan. It centre around the gradual, unyielding fall of a young boy, Xiao Si'r (Chen Chang), going from innocent teenager to juvenile delinquent. The film is primarily about the conflict between two youth gangs, the gang leader and girlfriend are involved in the conflict between gangs of children of formerly-mainland families and those of Taiwanese families, it conflict culminates in an act of violence, where the girlfriend is murdered. Also starring Lisa Yang as Ming, Kuo-Chu Chang as the Father, Elaine Jin as the Mother, Chuan Wang as the Eldest Sister, Han Chang as the Elder Brother, Hsiu-Chiung Chiang as the Middle Sister and Stephanie Lai as the Youngest Sister. I don't think it is just me that would struggle to remember everything that happens in the film, it is almost exactly 4 hours long, it is mainly about youth and social issues of the time, with some rock and roll, and political turmoil in the backdrop, the gang war stuff is less interesting, it has some interesting moments, it is certainly not the sort of thing I watch more than once, unless it was shorter, but I do remember liking this drama. Very good!
Review of A Brighter Summer Day
