2008 Woodie Awards
Thrice-told love story introduces audiences to Hou
SLIFF Preview: 'Three Times,' 5 of 5 stars
By: James Hansen
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: LifeStyle
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For 20 years, Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien has been making films that, with few exceptions, never made it past the festival circuit in the United States. Although his films are available on DVD, the cinematic experience of a Hou Hsiao-hsien film is something that should not be missed and will long be treasured.
Luckily, the St. Louis International Film Festival is giving everyone the opportunity. Hou's new film, "Three Times," is finally receiving its St. Louis premiere, despite having been more than a year since its 2005 American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and being already available on DVD.
"Three Times" chronicles three romantic relationships in three dissimilar years: 1966, 1911 and 2005. Though each couple is different, they are played by the same two magnificent actors: Chang Chen and Qi Shu. Each year and each relationship deals with various issues and tells a different story, but they all revolve around the central theme of our desire to love someone and our quest for that love. The tales take place in Taiwan, but the issues are clearly applicable to the rest of the world.
As the film melodically drifts from story to story, "Three Times" feels more like watching a gorgeous dream than a film. This can be said for all of Hou's films.
The first story, titled "A Time For Love," is set in 1966 and revolves around a young man (Chang) who has been drafted into the army. He is in love with a pool bar hostess (Qi), but goes away with the army, promising to write. Chang longs to find Qi again and yearns for what he once had. Hou uses the song "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by The Platters and the bouncing of pool balls as a symbol for this entire story.
The second story, "A Time For Freedom," is set in 1911 and is put together like a silent film. Chang is a young revolutionary and Shu is a courtesean who wants to become free. The dialogue between the two uses intertitles, while Shu at some points overlaps the dialogue in song. The slow-paced flow and tremendous cinematography bring the story to life.
Luckily, the St. Louis International Film Festival is giving everyone the opportunity. Hou's new film, "Three Times," is finally receiving its St. Louis premiere, despite having been more than a year since its 2005 American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and being already available on DVD.
"Three Times" chronicles three romantic relationships in three dissimilar years: 1966, 1911 and 2005. Though each couple is different, they are played by the same two magnificent actors: Chang Chen and Qi Shu. Each year and each relationship deals with various issues and tells a different story, but they all revolve around the central theme of our desire to love someone and our quest for that love. The tales take place in Taiwan, but the issues are clearly applicable to the rest of the world.
As the film melodically drifts from story to story, "Three Times" feels more like watching a gorgeous dream than a film. This can be said for all of Hou's films.
The first story, titled "A Time For Love," is set in 1966 and revolves around a young man (Chang) who has been drafted into the army. He is in love with a pool bar hostess (Qi), but goes away with the army, promising to write. Chang longs to find Qi again and yearns for what he once had. Hou uses the song "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by The Platters and the bouncing of pool balls as a symbol for this entire story.
The second story, "A Time For Freedom," is set in 1911 and is put together like a silent film. Chang is a young revolutionary and Shu is a courtesean who wants to become free. The dialogue between the two uses intertitles, while Shu at some points overlaps the dialogue in song. The slow-paced flow and tremendous cinematography bring the story to life.
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