Cannes

In a Strange City

Zai Moshengde Cnengshi (Drama -- Color -- Taiwanese)

By GODFREY CHESHIRE

A Filmopolis release of a Central Motion Picture presentation, in association with Controller Prods. Produced by Hsu Li-kong. Executive producers, Jiang Feng-chyi, Fu Hsui-ping, Chien Yi-Hsien. Directed by Yin Chi. Screenplay, Dai Wen-tsai, Yin.
 
Jane Yu - Yang Kuei-mei
Xiang Guo-chien - Winston Chao

 

Though thematically ambitious and technically polished, "In a Strange City" falls uncomfortably between genuine art fare and the ranks of moody, overreaching soap operas. Despite the presence of stars from Ang Lee's "The Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman," pic's chances beyond Asian sites appear slim at best.

Telling of an affair between a beautiful teacher and a hard-driving Taiwanese politico, pic conceals a double meaning in its title. Since the lovers carry on their fling in a foreign port, that would seem to be the obvious reference. Yet there's also the sense that no city is stranger than Taipei, where the two must hide their passion in favor of the "face" that Chinese societies so relentlessly demand.

At the story's onset, high school teacher Jane Yu (Yang Kuei-mei) is contemplating breaking off the desultory romance she apparently began in reaction to her brother's death. Not only is her lover, Xiang Guo-chien (Winston Chao), married, but his political career dominates his personal life, a problem that takes a bizarre turn one day when rather than showing up for their appointed rendezvous, he appears on the news as the victim of an assassination attempt.

When it turns out that Xiang has conspired in the staged assault in order to boost his standing in the polls, Jane has the clearest indication yet that her b.f. is a shady creep. Meanwhile, she's also troubled by a suicidally rebellious student, a close friend who involves her in a shaky business scheme and a handsome singer who tries to put the moves on her.

While helmer Yin Chi has an obvious feel for the emotional complexities of modern Taipei, pic's various plot strands don't resonate beyond melodramatic content, partly because Jane remains the most listless of heroines, devoid of the insight that would illuminate her recurrent victimization.

Yang and Chao perform capably enough, and tech credits are superior throughout, but pic finally offers more pretension than dramatic acuity, adding up to a superficial gloss on Taiwanese themes explored with more penetration in films like Edward Yang's "That Day on the Beach" and "The Terrorizers."

Camera (color), Suki Medencevic; editor, Yin; music, Paul McCarty; art direction, Chang Hong, Timmy Yeh; line producer, Lan Ta-peng. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (market), May 24, 1995. Running time: 100 min.