The Great Buddha+

Watching this in the UK probably meant most of the subtle Taiwanese life references went over my head and whilst there is humour in the film, I didn't laugh once. The story centres around 2 struggling lowlife misfits where one is a night security guard at a Buddha statue factory and the other a refuse recycling collector. It's a sort of bizarre snapshot of a series of events. There's a theme of vulnerability and exploitation, references to faith and local culture. It's mostly filmed in Black and White and is unusual in having the director intervening occasionally with a narration. The film manages to hold a certain mood, it's filmed in an interesting way and is as they say 'different'.

My rating: 6/10 and only that high for it's absurdity. Recommended for the art-house crew. Beware there isn't much of a cohesive story to this and the trailer is made up from some very carefully selected scenes.

The idea of the way of telling is novel, but not limited to the novelty itself. From the playful bystander perspective to the uncontrollable subjective emotion release, this film can be said that it is a perfect example of a narration assisted narration. Along with the pioneering, not rough photography, and valuable original score, a series of technical additions not only adds to the richness of the story, but also makes the mood of the film more touching.

This is not entirely a black and white film. Because the world of wealthy people is colorful. A social realistic drama wrapped in black humor, very close to Taiwanese society. Director Huang Xinyao's catchphrase is not only amusing, but also cleverly neutralizes the almost non-existent dark depression in the story. Social class differentiation, wealth gap, and the external flaws of religious politics and economics are all extremely satirical. A great ending was filmed. The black and white tone and the life of the wealthy are colorful, seemingly throwing the problem towards a desperate class division. However, the tone of the storyteller, combined with the jokes of hearsay and the empty emotions of life, cleverly leaks out the money and sex of the old driver driving on the road, completing the theme of black humor to nihilistic literature and art. Talking and laughing can be both relaxed and enjoyable, but for some reason, there is always a sour Wu Nianzhen that makes people want to cry.

The depiction of the lowlife feels very real- their timidness, their very limited, non-imaginative desire and their quiet desperation. The black and white for the poor and the color for the rich adds to the contrast of lifestyles of social classes on the extremes. Yet interestingly, I don't think the film is trying to make people angry in any sense. It just make you feel, 'that's the way it is'.

Mixed with the realness is the symbolism shown in the film. I think it's best that viewers not try it too hard to put logic into every plot of the film, but just accept it as an artistic expression .

This movie depicts two friend watching his boss dash camera recording only to find out a dark secret.. but seriously it is a very slow movie... the conversation is very interesting and funny... but it really took too long to send out the message.