Yang Yang 陽陽

The film begins with the wedding reception of Yang Yang's mother and the girl's running coach, whose daughter, Xiao-ru, also happens to be Yang Yang's best friend. But the relationship between the two girls deteriorates as the competition between the athletes increases. Moreover, the situation worsens when Shawn, Xiao-ru's boyfriend, unveils his feelings for Yang Yang. Following Xiao-ru's discovery and revenge over her friend's betrayal, Yang Yang quickly leaves her new, but dysfunctional family, to enter an acting career alongside photographer Ming-ren. She eventually has the opportunity to play a role impersonating her own life: a Taiwanese girl looking for her French father.

The second feature-length film by the young and promising director Cheng Yu-Chieh (鄭有傑) "Yang Yang" opens Taipei's 11th Film Festival (TaipeiFF). Its shaky atmosphere along with the natural and highly contrasting colors give the movie an uncluttered effect that reminds the audience of Wong Kar Wai's visual style.

The viewers are plunged into the everyday life of Yang Yang, and witness her lust for victory on the field, as well as her unfortunate yearning for love. Filmed with a handheld camera, those who enjoyed Ho Wi Ding's "Summer Afternoon" or Cheng's first film, titled "Do over," will recognize the artistic style of cinematographer Jake Pollock. The acting performance of the cast must also be applauded, and the silent but deeply moving confrontation scene between the two girls will certainly leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Still, the cohesiveness of the plot could be questioned. Characters of predominant importance within the first hour almost entirely disappear, while inconsistent scenes lengthen the movie. It is also unclear whether Yang Yang or Sandrine Pinna is the center of attention, as the endless close-ups on Yang Yang's face, hands, legs and feet sometimes flirt with an ode to the beauty of the lead actress. Yet, this constant wandering between reality and fiction could be understood as another means for the director to put in perspective the notion of identity.

Indeed, Cheng successfully pictures the difficulty for young people to fit in one single frame, and their struggle for self-acceptance. "Yang Yang" is a touching film that aims at reaching insecure and excluded youth through the "nouvelle-vague" coming to age issues. Once the movie ends, we are left feeling both sad but hopeful for Yang Yang's future, while feeling a little lost ourselves.

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