4:30 (2005)

"4:30" traces the relationship between Xiao Wu, an eleven year old Chinese Boy and his tenant Jung, a thirty-something Korean man. Told entirely from the perspective of the boy, Xiao Wu, ... See full summary »

Director:

Royston Tan

Writers:

Royston Tan, Liam Yeo

Stars:

Young-jun Kim, Xiao Li Yuan

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Young-jun Kim	...	Jung
Xiao Li Yuan	...	Zhang, Xiao Wu

Storyline

"4:30" traces the relationship between Xiao Wu, an eleven year old Chinese Boy and his tenant Jung, a thirty-something Korean man. Told entirely from the perspective of the boy, Xiao Wu, this story of two very different characters is less about friendship than about a shared experience and appreciation of solitude. "4:30" starts with Xiao sneaking to the room of Jung in the early hours of the morning, and stealing from the Korean man. Just as getting intoxicated is a habit for Jung, who only staggers back to his rented room when drunk, soon stealing for Xiao Wu becomes equally as compulsive. We soon realize that Jung's true intention for staying in Singapore is suicide. It is only through Xiao's encounter with Jung failing in his bid to die that he begins to understand his true fascination with Jung.

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Plot Keywords:

korean | boy | tenant | singapore | strict teacher | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Singapore

Language:

Korean Mandarin English

Release Date:

29 June 2006 (Singapore)

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

NHK, Singapore Film Commission, Zhao Wei Films (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 95 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Don't think twice, it's alright

Royston Tan's second feature is about an 11-year-old latch-key Chinese boy, Xiao Wu, who is addicted to cough syrup and who hates school, and his surrogate stepfather, a thirty-something Korean who lives with him in an apartment. The film is almost entirely without dialog, and is accompanied only by diegetic sounds. Tan has a talent for composition and 4:30 is permeated with a green tint and a tone of melancholic loneliness throughout. The film scores brownie points in showing the two's attempts - and failure - to connect. But after Tan makes a point strongly an hour into the film, the film becomes concerned with trivialities and the movie is at least 20 minutes too long. Still, Tan's talent remains undeniable, although the film stretches its material over 93 minutes.