A Brighter Summer Day (1991)
"Gu ling jie shao nian sha ren shi jian" (original title)

Director:

Edward Yang

Writers:

Hung Hung, Mingtang Lai,

Stars:

Chen Chang, Lisa Yang, Kuo-Chu Chang

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chen Chang	...	Xiao Si'r (Zhang Zhen)
Lisa Yang	...	Ming (Liu Zhiming)
Kuo-Chu Chang	...	Father
Elaine Jin	...	Mother
Juan Wang	...	Eldest Sister
Han Chang	...	Elder Brother
Hsiu-Chiung Chiang	...	Middle Sister
Fanyun Lai	...	Youngest Sister
Wong Chi Zan	...	Cat (Wang Mao)
Lawrence Ko	...	Airplane (Ji Fei)
Zhigang Tan	...	Ma
Mingxin Zhang	...	Underpants (Mingxin)
Junlong Rong	...	Sex Bomb (Zhang Bowen)
Huiguo Zhou	...	Tiger (Xiao Hu)
Qingqi Liu	...	Hefty (Da Ge)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

taiwan | youth | teen | street gang | evening class | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin Min Nan Shanghainese

Release Date:

25 November 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Brighter Summer Day

Filming Locations:

Taiwan

Company Credits

Production Co:

ICA, Jane Balfour Films, Yang & His Gang Filmmakers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

237 min 185 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a true story.

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Connections

Features Rio Bravo (1959)

User Reviews

A classic that will stay with you for a long, long time.

I just finished watching this four hour epic and something tells me that this is going to remain with me for a long, long time. I was glad I entered the cinema hall with no foreknowledge of what the film was about or anything about the story, except that it was directed by Edward Yang, whose Yi Yi I liked. Am I not glad I did that? The entire film, especially the second half, is an emotional powerhouse. Its funny, sociological and emotionally brutal.

The four hour run time was quite a deterrent however I planned it well and took one bathroom break but it was all worth it in the end. I would not recommend that you read anything of the story before you watch the film because several of the reviews above have spoilers in them. All I'll say is that it is about street gangs, but like nothing you've ever seen. It about lost childhood and children growing up so fast that its scary. The fact that all of this really happened makes it chilling.

I'm surprised that not many people have seen this film yet because it certainly deserves a classic status. The direction is probably one of the best I've ever experienced and I will definitely seek out other Edward Yang movies to watch.

The acting by all the teenage actors and children is nothing short of brilliant and I can see that some of the key actors never acted in another movie again which I believe is a waste.

I don't think its out on video as yet, however I would highly recommend that you seek it out. In my opinion the film demands total attention and is best watched on the big screen rather than on video.