Yang Yang

Taiwan, 2009, 112 Minute Running Time
Genre/Subjects: Drama, Family Issues, Foreign, Social Issues, Teen Flick, Women's Issues
Language: "Cantonese, Mandarin" English Sub-Titles

Taiwanese writer/director Cheng Yu-chieh’s handheld camera never leaves Sandrine Pinna, the actress who plays the titular heroine of this engaging character-driven drama, for long. Yang Yang’s an athletic beauty whose mixed Taiwanese and French lineage makes her stand out among her peers. But she does not always welcome the attention. Yang Yang yearns to connect with her biological father, a photographer who has disappeared. When she comes upon a mysterious series of photographs of herself running on the university track at a local exhibit, her suspicion is only piqued.
Meanwhile, Yang Yang’s mother has remarried, giving her both a new dad – who happens to be her track coach – and a stepsister, Xiao-Ru. At first, the siblings are close, but Xiao-Ru’s boyfriend Shawn soon becomes between them. After Yang Yang and Shawn share one night of illicit sex, a vengeful Xiao-Ru sets Yang Yang up to bring shame to the family. Yang Yang’s subsequent departure – accompanied by a talent agent with questionable intentions – makes any chance of a reunion with her family seem far-fetched.
For all the family drama, Yang Yang is not an action-packed film, emphasizing instead human vulnerability and personal growth thanks to Yu-chieh’s understated touch. As for Pinna – currently one of Taiwan’s most popular young stars – she is definitely one to watch.

DIRECTOR: Cheng Yu-chieh
Producer: Khan Lee
Editor: Liu Yue-Xing
Screenwriter: Chen Yu-chieh
Cinematographer: Jake Pollock
Principal Cast: Sandrine Pinna, Bryant Chang, Chien-wei Huang