A Brighter Summer Day

A Brighter Summer Day (GuLing Jie Shao Nian Sha Ren Shi Jian) (1991)

Runtime: 237 minutes!

Directed by: Edward Yang

Starring: Chang Chen, Lisa Yang, Chang Kuo-Chu, Elaine Jin, Wang Chuan

From: Yang & His Gang Filmmakers

This is a now-beloved film online, at least in the hardcore film community. I now know why this movie from Taiwan is so highly revered: 

 

I wish I had pals as a kid with nicknames such as SEX BOMB and UNDERPANTS.

A Brighter Summer Day's 4 hour length is the reason why I hadn't checked out the film until last night, but I had enough free time where I could see it all in one day. I only became familiar with it a few years ago when it finally received an official release in the United States via the Criterion Collection putting it out in a restored version, but its high rating on IMDb and here at Letterboxd meant that this seemed like something I should view.

The setting is early 60's Taiwan and this tracks the downfall of teenager Xiao Si'r-who probably would be as successful as his wise father if he just had the ambition to do so-but the story encompasses much more than that. This has dozens of characters and yet things never become rushed or confused as Si'r's family, friends, love interests, and rivals are all followed. Many themes are brought up and discussed, including the political turmoil on the island, how many Chinese moved there after their country became Communist, how rock and roll even reached their shores and became beloved (Elvis was as awesome there as he was in the United States), and other aspects I won't spoil here. There is no shortage of intriguing subplots and it makes for a 4 hour experience that did not feel so lengthy. The movie does explain how Xiao is in a gang, why he pals around with such types, and why gangs were popular in Taiwan at the time for disillusioned, directionless teens and young adults. Why they had such wacky nicknames if you were in a gang, that was left unexplained. Anyhow, the big event that closes out the film was based on an actual event that occurred in Taipei back in '61.

A Brighter Summer Day is excellent all around, from the performances to the natural scenery of Taiwan, to how there is no score and instead the music you hear comes from the radio, stage performances, etc. Putting it all together masterfully was Edward Yang, who used many long takes shot from a distance. The movie is not a short journey, but it sure as hell is a rewarding one as you discover how a rich tapestry was woven and how many messages were delivered w/ expert care.