Film Preview: Yang Yang
Day 3
By Cole Akins
Sunday Feb. 21 at 7:30pm
Empire Theater
Directed by Cheng Yu-chieh
The 3rd annual San Joaquin International Film Festival is privileged to bring the award winning Taiwanese film Yang Yang to Stockton. This character drama follows the French/Taiwanese character Yang Yang as she searches for relief from her family related trauma.
I love movies, and I love independent films because they provide me with an experience that the common Hollywood blockbuster cannot. Yang Yang’s focus is its story and the creativeness in how it is told. Director Cheng Yu-chieh chose to shoot many of his scenes through improv. This requires great confidence in his actors, but if done well, has the potential to make the film very real, emotional, and unexpected. This was true for the actors on set, who actually burst into tears after certain scenes were filmed.
Yang Yang has the potential for a powerful story. That’s the beauty of independent genre that has a clear vision and is centered around a well-developed character. There is a time for cheesy one-liners and excessive explosions; films that cost $60 million and more to make today. It won’t be 3D visual affects that motivate me to attend the February 21st showing. Simple can make more powerful. We are fortunate to have such a respected international film festival in the Central Valley.
I’m excited to see how the character Yang Yang, played by actress Sandrine Pinna, overcomes the obstacles in her life. Pinna is actually French/Taiwanese by the way, and the kind of honest beauty I pray will move in next door. In the film, Yang Yang is a member of a track team. Running acts as a sort of escape for her- freedom from difficulties in her family and love-life.
As an athletic minded person, I’m attracted to the emotional affects of running and exercise. It’s obvious aspect of the character I can relate to in this film. If it’s not running, it’s something else. We all seek an outlet. I am interested to see the steps Yang Yang takes in her journey to transition from the start to the resolution. What does she find? Who does she become?
I am thankful to SJIFF for bringing these unique films to Stockton. Yang Yang has potential to leave a lasting impression on Sunday evening’s film festival attendees.
Visit www.SJIFF.org
or the Yang Yang's page at
http://www.sjiff.org/festival/f-yangyang.html
And Finally,
Another film that beautifully fits within the independent genre is The Things We Carry. A distribution deal has been signed, so if you missed it, check out Amazon or Netflix in April!
-Watch it, then remember to leave a comment and a rating...
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