FilmSocietyMtl

I recently viewed a very nice 16mm print of the film and was totally surprised and taken by its oddball qualities. It has a brand of humour that you either get or you don't. If you don't, you are likely looking at it on the surface too much. The melodramatic awfulness of the dialogue is clearly an intentional throwback to the 'horse operas' of 20 years earlier (which would have been displayed as inter-titles) Pre-code sexual innuendo abounds in this one but you need to be paying attention to catch most of it. Altogether, FARO NELL is a comedic gem that deserves rediscovery.

The titular boy in the moonlight is actually the young spirit of a man who has been in a kind of vegetative state for the last 30 years. The tortured spirit wanders in that earthly space between heaven and hell, himself exploring the why of his tragic fate. His wanderings take him into the lives of those in his family who hover over and care for his sleeping broken body. The artful pacing, beautiful images and poetic dialogue, mostly uttered in hushed tones, help create a dream world for the story to gracefully unfold in. Not for all tastes, this fluid film is best bathed in rather than consumed. The one jarring aspect is the occasional appearance of cartoon characters that interact with moonlight boy. It is a creative risk that does not quite pay off ultimately. Still, the film is worth using your sixth sense to seek out.

I had the privilege of watching a nice 16mm print of this fine little Taiwanese film and was genuinely moved by its bitter-sweet tale of pursuing the security of money versus the uncertainty of love. Sadly, many of us choose the former and as this film tells us with humour and pathos, love is all you need. This story of sweet sensitive pretty Pei-Li follows her indecision over what path to take in life as she struggles to raise her apparently autistic child. Her friend and co-worker at the hair-dressing salon, Pi Pi, shows her a way to make good money by selling her body to Japanese businessmen. This would bring Pei-Li much-needed money to pay for her son's treatment in the U.S. But at what cost to her dignity? And is a dark family secret the real reason for her son's despondency? Absurd situations and quirky characters abound which makes this film sparkle with enough originality to keep you attached throughout. Seek it out, watch it with an open spirit, let it move you then give a warm hug to someone who needs it most.