Sheng xia guang nian (2006)

Two best friends Shane and Jonathan learn more about themselves in an ever evolving sexuality.

Director:

Leste Chen

Writers:

Cheng-Ping Hsu (original story) (as Hsu Cheng-Ping), Cheng-Ping Hsu (screenplay) (as Hsu Cheng-Ping)

Stars:

Hsiao-chuan Chang, Ray Chang, Kate Yeung

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Hsiao-chuan Chang	...	Yu Shou-heng / Shane (as Joseph Chang)
Ray Chang	...	Kang Cheng-hsing / Jonathan (as Bryant Chang)
Kate Yeung	...	Hui-chia

Storyline

As a child living in a seaside town in southern Taiwan, studious Jonathan (Bryant Chang) was asked by his concerned teacher to look after rebellious classmate Shane (Joseph Chang). Ten years later, what was once a good-natured obligation has since blossomed into a warm friendship, with Jonathan still on the academic track and Shane finding his calling on the basketball court. When Taiwanese-born schoolgirl Carrie (Kate Yeung) transfers to their school from Hong Kong and convinces Jonathan to join her on a secret day trip to Taipei, her botched effort to seduce him in a sleazy love hotel, combined with her observations of his and Shane's friendship, soon leads her to believe that the object of her affections is a homosexual in love with his best friend. Despite her initial misgivings about the boorish Shane, Carrie soon begins to give in to the troublemaker's roguish charm when he convinces her to become his girlfriend if he is accepted into a university. Later, as Shane pulls his act ...

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | romantic friendship | coming of age | love triangle | taipei taiwan | 

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Taglines:

No One Wishes To Be Lonely, Neither Do We.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin English

Release Date:

13 October 2006 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

Eternal Summer

Filming Locations:

Taipei, Taiwan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rolling Film Entertainment, Flash Forward Entertainment, Three Dots Entertainment Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Eternal Summer
Music, Lyrics & Performed by Ashin

User Reviews

A beautiful movie on relationships

Most say Eternal Summer is a gay movie. But I would rather call it a movie about relationships.

Newbies Bryant Chang and Joseph Chang play two best friends who come a long way from primary school after they were paired off as motivational buddies by their form teacher. As the 'third party' Carrie (Kate Yeung) enters the scene, the relationship becomes more complicated. All three struggle with love and friendship – a line that can seem so clearly divided but is not.

With 4 nominations at the Golden Horses, this movie caused a stir in Taiwan, both in terms of theme and story. Fortunately, it did not sink into typical Taiwanese melodramatic mode. The director takes his time to unfold, filled with awkward yet genuine moments. Note the parallels that he draws, and the subtle contrast between scenes reveal more than what is said.

Many times, the audience may feel frustrated with the slow pacing, and wished that the characters would just acknowledge what they feel. Perhaps this is a reflection of individuals being unaccepted and different in society, whether you are a gay, migrant or loner. You may just identity with the 3 characters' suppression and lack of ability to communicate.

With Lan Yu winning the Golden Horse, and Brokeback Mountain the Golden Globes paving the way, homosexual themed movies have started arriving to the shores of Singapore (with some censorship). Just a few years before, it would almost seem impossible that movies like Eternal Summer would be screen here. Liberation of the authorities or sophistication of the audience? To emphasize, this is not just another 'gay' movie, and may disappoint those going for the wrong reasons. With the tagline "No One Wishes To Be Lonely, Neither Do We", it can be viewed as a beautifully shot movie on the pains of growing up, friendship and love.