Millennium Mambo

Aroview: The first in dir. Hou’s ‘contemporary youth’ trilogy is a light-infused strobe of aimless young adults living in the accelerated urban environment of 21st century Taiwan.

Throbbing with electronica and bathed in disco blue, this is at times rapturous stuff, giving insight into the uncertain love life of twenty-something Vicky (Shu Qi), who flutters between a troubled relationship with boyfriend Hao-Hao, and a flirtation with small-time crook Jack. Reminiscent of Wong Kar-wai yet at the same time uniquely Hou, the great Taiwanese director gives much needed momentum to his soulless world of drugs, nightclubs and false hope with a hypnotic techno soundtrack. Shot ecstatically by Wong collaborator Mark Ping Lee, this is also notable for the utterly entrancing performance of Shu Qi. Closely shadowed by the luminous CAFÉ LUMIERE.

NZ International Film Festival 2002