The story of a family embroiled in the "White Terror," the Kuomintang government's anti-communist political repression that was wrought on the Taiwanese people from 1947-1987.
a story of taiwanese history and suffering, told not through epic battles or dramatized political play-by-plays, but through the quiet moments in the lives of ordinary people. i think this film is even more profound knowing it is the first ever to openly portray the KMT government's actions in the wake of their entrance into taiwan. unfortunately, i dont think any review i could write as of right now could do this movie justice, as i very quickly became lost on each of the character's names (LOL). one day i will absolutely give it another shot
a story of taiwanese history and suffering, told not through epic battles or dramatized political play-by-plays, but through the quiet moments in the lives of ordinary people. i think this film is even more profound knowing it is the first ever to openly portray the KMT government's actions in the wake of their entrance into taiwan. unfortunately, i dont think any review i could write as of right now could do this movie justice, as i very quickly became lost on each of the character's names (LOL). one day i will absolutely give it another shot
Beisa Šabić
Tony Leung you will forever have my heart
Tony Leung you will forever have my heart
Stevie
10.0★ · 03/24/26
We islanders are the most pitiful — one moment under the Japanese, the next under the Chinese. Everyone takes from us, everyone tramples on us, no one cares for us.I've come to realise that war movies aren't good at all. All Quiet On The Western Front though is a phenomenol anti-war movie, it still lacks any sort of sympathies that I can feel with the main characters. I am at a loss as to how I am supposed to care for people that signed up for the war.
What I'm getting at is that post-war movies such as this one and Bicycle Thieves manage to show how economically and personally destructive war can be, not just during, but even several years later.
The dynamic relation between the mainland and Taiwan is interesting in of itself. They manage to show the class differences with their Shanghai suits, working class wear and traditional clothing that shows each character and their relationship to the identity of the island that they are living on.
We islanders are the most pitiful — one moment under the Japanese, the next under the Chinese. Everyone takes from us, everyone tramples on us, no one cares for us.I've come to realise that war movies aren't good at all. All Quiet On The Western Front though is a phenomenol anti-war movie, it still lacks any sort of sympathies that I can feel with the main characters. I am at a loss as to how I am supposed to care for people that signed up for the war.
What I'm getting at is that post-war movies such as this one and Bicycle Thieves manage to show how economically and personally destructive war can be, not just during, but even several years later.
The dynamic relation between the mainland and Taiwan is interesting in of itself. They manage to show the class differences with their Shanghai suits, working class wear and traditional clothing that shows each character and their relationship to the identity of the island that they are living on.
nat
9.0★ · 03/14/26
the only thing not depressing in this film is the interaction between wen qing and kuan mei
the only thing not depressing in this film is the interaction between wen qing and kuan mei
