Hoezo in KINO

The only film in our program directed by Chen Kun-hou, who served as a cinematographer for many of Hou Hsiao-hsien’s films. Released in 1983, considered a breakthrough year for the movement and holds a special place in the movement’s history, yet remains underseen, especially in Europe. The story revolves around a boy’s coming-of-age experiences set in a small coastal town, but also delves into the struggles faced by his mother, as she had to marry an older man to support her son. What sets this film apart in narrative style is that it isn’t told from the boy’s perspective, but through the eyes of a girl who admires him. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time and we think it has one of the best representations of stepdads in cinema.