Ah Fei
dir. Wan Jen · 1983
Being alive involves navigating the tension between traditional values and the pressures of modern life.
Feature
Coming of Age
Mood
Melancholic / Contemplative
Look
stark contrasts between rural and urban landscapes, intimate character framing
Structure
episodic with character-driven vignettes
Plot
The startling contrast between old and new Taiwan is the subject of Wan Jen's epic of traditional identities coming into conflict with an urban life, emphasizing the situation of women.
Why watch
"Ah Fei" intricately weaves the emotional tapestry of a rapidly modernizing Taiwan, where the struggles of women clash with traditional identities. This poignant drama invites viewers to reflect on the bittersweet nostalgia for a past that is slipping away, all while capturing the vibrancy and tension of a society in flux.
Cultural context
modernization of Taiwangender roles in Taiwanese societyimpact of urbanizationtraditional vs. contemporary values