Cape #7 (海角七號) V.S. No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (不能沒有你)

      Cape #7 (海角七號) & No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (不能沒有你)

     When we are touched, most of us express our thoughts or convey our feelings by talking, writing, and drawing. Movie, however, is also a way to convey a person’s thought.  Most of the movies people see in Taiwan are from foreign countries instead from Taiwan. We accept those foreigners’ thoughts, we admire their movie technology; nevertheless, we seldom pay attention to our local ones.  However, start from 2008, the situation seems changes. I still remember during the summer vacation in 2008, everybody was discussing about Cape #7 (海角七號). It was the first time people discussed so enthusiastically about a local-made movie. Cape #7 was such a hit not only in Taiwan but also in Japan. It was also the masterpiece that proved Taiwanese movie with good quality and a huge encouragement to the younger generations. Though it was not the first movie made by Taiwanese and produced in Taiwan, it was the first one that successfully captured people’s attentions and people’s minds. Following this great mess fervor, more and more young directors have the courage to express their thoughts by shooting movies. And in 2009, another great masterpiece was produced —No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (不能沒有你). It was also a local-made movie produced by a Taiwanese director— 戴立忍. The reason why I choose these two movies is because I find two of them are much alike. Therefore, in my following research paper, I would like to make a comparison between these two movies and express my own reflection toward what I have seen in both movies.

     What exactly the ingredients and the qualities these two movies posses to win peoples’ hearts? I believe the answers are obviously clear.  Start from the director’s motivations to plots arrangement and even the election of actors and actresses…etc, all of the above decide whether or not a good movie can be presented. I will divide these ingredients into three parts— the director, the plots, and the actors /actresses— and analyze them individually to find out why these two movies can be such a great success.

I.    The director— 魏德聖 and 戴立忍

     The director plays an important role during the shooting of the film. Though the director doesn’t represent the whole movie, without the director’s ideas and the passion, the movie will be nothing. The reason why both movies— Cape #7 and No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti can be such a success should be credited to director魏德聖 and director戴立忍. I find that both of them have their own insistence and passion toward “Movie.” First, take Director魏 as an example, actually, Cape #7 was the first production of his. Though spent a lot of money during the whole movie which even made him in debt, he deeply believed that he should make every detail perfect. From a scene which only took  three minutes to the whole setting, Director魏insisted to make them all right. He believed in what he was doing; even though no one seemed to support his ideas at really first; his own insistence proved that what he did was right. I guess this is what I and all of the students can learn from— believe firmly in what you have chosen even though nobody will support. Sometimes I find myself wavering in one decision. But maybe I should have more faith and belief in what I have chosen.

     As to Director戴, he notices what most of people might ignore, which is the life of urban dwellers and minorities. Though we live in this surrounding and care for those who are in need, we might sometimes feel numb in our daily life once we get used to it. We sometimes forget how urgent their lives are and urgent they need the public’s helps. However, Director戴 points out this problem. He notices those who really need people’s helps and cares. That’s why he films this movie-- No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti, which is a true story between a father and a daughter. Also, during the interview, he expresses his ideas that as a director, he wishes to present what is really happening in Taiwan; what is really true about Taiwan. This strong belief leads him does what he believes in and stands out conspicuously in shooting the movie No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti.
   
II.    The plots

     The plot matters in a film. Whether a film is good or bad depends on its plot.  The plot of Cape #7 includes not only love between A- Ga and Tomoko and the Japanese teacher and old Tomoko but the friendship between A-Ga and his friends. What I love most is that in this film, not only does A-Ga find his own confidence back, he also helps 馬拉桑, 茂伯, 大大, 水雞…find theirs. I am also touched when in the end A-Ga finds the address and delivers those letters to the old Tomoko; it seems everything has its perfect ending. Besides, during the movie, most of the characters communicate in Taiwanese; this makes the movie much friendlier to the audience, especially like my parents. My mom, who always sleeps during the movies, didn’t sleeps at all during Cape #7. Actually, my mom kept laughing; because she understood the language that was why she felt interested.

As to the movie No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti, through this movie, Dr.戴 presents a social incident that people have long forgotten about the story between a father and a daughter years ago. Due to some complex reasons, the daughter’s identity cannot be proved legally by the law, which also influences the legality of the relationship between the father and daughter. To legalize their father and daughter relationship, this father turns to the official; however, in vain. At the end, the desperate father has no choice but turn to the extreme way which is to commit suicide to raise the public’s attention. After seeing this movie, I feel touched but a little bit shamed. I feel shamed because I seldom notice the social events like this before. However, I am touched because there are seldom movies that can truly reflect Taiwanese society and thank god that finally this father and daughter can reunite with each other. Besides, as to the setting, though it’s black and white and has no beautiful clothes nor gorgeous settings or backgrounds, it truly records the life, the emotion, and the helplessness of a Taiwanese man who belongs what so called the minority. It is so touched. As I mentioned that there are seldom movies that can truly present “real”; how nice it is to have a chance to enjoy the real life after indulging ourselves with so many unreal materials for so long.

III.    The actors and actresses

     I find both of the movies in common that most of their actors and actresses are not stars, celebrities, or artistes. Nor are they famous because some of them haven’t really acted before.  However, they all act really well in these two movies. Though they are inexperienced actors and actresses, in other words, they’re like white papers and have more potential to develop their inner emotions and abilities. They won’t have any previous burden as those experienced actors and actresses; as a result, they can explore themselves without limits. That’s why they perform so well in the movies. I think that’s parts of the reason why they are chosen.

     Both of the two movies are the masterpieces of Taiwan which also represent the spirit of Taiwan. We can see the value from these two movies; we can also find our own position from these masterpieces. However, we should remember one thing that as Taiwanese students, we should be proud of ourselves. Except from these two movies, there are also many other famous thumbs and authorities whom Dr. Vinia had mentioned in the class we can be proud of and learn from. All in all, we are so lucky to be born in Taiwan and enjoy such happy lives. We should cherish those resources and try to do our best. Hope one day, some of us can also be like those people who have contributed a lot to our home country.

96540344   Ann