Qing shao nian nuo zha (1992)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Ming-liang Tsai

Writer:

Ming-liang Tsai (writer)

Release Date:

4 August 1994 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Defying by his parents, Hsiao Kang drops out of the local crammer to head for the bright lights of downtown Taipei...

Plot Keywords:

Teen | Motorcycle | Flooded Room | Nihilism

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Chao-jung Chen	...	Ah Tze
Chang-bin Jen	...	Ah Bing
Kang-sheng Lee	...	Hsiao-Kang
Yi-Ching Lu	...	Mother (as Hsiao-Ling Lu)
Tien Miao	...	Father
Yu-Wen Wang	...	Ah Kuei

Also Known As:

Cing shao nian nuo jha (Taiwan)
Rebels of the Neon God (International: English title)
Teenage Norcha

Runtime:

106 min | Canada:127 min

Country:

Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin | Taiwanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (cut) | France:U

Filming Locations:

Taiwan

Company:

Central Motion Pictures Corporation

Movie Connections:

References Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Rebel with a cause

On a more obvious level of multiple layers, a crucial, cultural point of significance seems lost in translation. As Rebels of the neon god comprise the sense of urban alienation, tradition and cultural adaptation, secularization, the decaying city and loss of identity, the original title translates literally Teenage Nezha. And as implied by his frustrated mother, the main character of Hsiao Kang bares resembling "qualities" to that of the rebel god, born into a human family and in constant opposition. While most reincarnations of Nezha grow additional limbs for the purpose of eradicating their father, Hsiao's idle hands become the playground for the prankster god. Sparked by an act of force, the two main plots of the film intertwine, and are further fueled by the returning violence. After their encounter in the arcade, Hsiao can be seen playing the same shoot-em-up as the one Ah Tze played while sitting next to him, symbolizing a change in character and the unraveling of the revenge. The directors returning use of water as ever-present, controlling element of nature, suppressing spaces of confined and human, primal behavior sets up a hierarchy of command in the metropolitan chaos of Taipei.