Growing Up

Growing Up is a 1983 Taiwanese coming-of-age drama film, directed and co-written by Chen Kunhou. This significant cinematic piece stands tall not only in Taiwan's New Cinema movement but also in the coming-of-age genre of the world cinema. Featuring a formidable cast, including Chun-Fang Chang, Fu-Sheng Tsui, and Doze Niu among others, the film adeptly addresses the multifaceted, paradoxical, and sensitive aspects of adolescence in a transitional Taiwanese society.

Chen Brother’s hauntingly evocative backdrop of Taiwan's coastal city, Keelung, serves as the canvas upon which Growing Up unspools the lives of its characters delicately and meticulously. In his impressive directorial style, Chen Kunhou captures not only the physical environment of Taiwan in the late 50s but also the emotional landscape and social milieu of the period. The movie becomes an intricate mosaic of family ties, societal norms, teenage exploration, and political upheavals.

Growing Up tells the story of two adolescent siblings Gee and Huei-hsia, played by Doze Niu and Chun-Fang Chang respectively. They experience life, love, and loss in a world that appears to be teetering on the edge of rapid socio-political change and ensuing economic uncertainties, prevalent just after the 1949 Chinese evacuation to Taiwan. Their father, played by Fu-Sheng Tsui, embodies a generation struggling to adapt and find their footing in a rapidly changing world.

Chen Kunhou tackles the thorny matter of burgeoning adolescence with a sensitive and even hand. It's presented in a nuanced and visceral way, as Gee develops a crush on his elder sister’s best friend, carrying chances of unreturned love and inevitable heartbreak. Through Gee's innocent eyes, the audience sees the rites of passage that come in the form of emotions, uncomfortable silences, and blurring of moral lines. Amidst these personal transitions, the film continuously explores different family dynamics and their influence on growing up.

There is an unparalleled authenticity in Growing Up. From the contrast of the city's industrialized mindset with the scenic beauty of the landscape, to the projection of societal alienation and generational gap, every frame radiates thoughtfulness. This movie encapsulates a potent mix of personal awakening and societal shifts, reflecting how the identity of individuals and a nation can parallel each other.

The center stage of Growing Up remains the family of the two siblings, grappling with the echoes of a creeping western influence and simmering political tension. Fu-Sheng Tsui gives a commendable performance as the struggling father trying to secure the future of his children while the mother, a character of grace and stoicism, paves the way to a deeper understanding of the family dynamics.

Doze Niu's soulful depiction of Gee is genuinely touching. His wide-eyed curiosity, growing desire for independence, and courage to face adversity are projected with sincerity and vigor. Chun-Fang Chang also leaves her mark, with her laudable portrayal of a young woman coming to terms with her daunting reality.

The film is further enriched with its deliberate pacing and the exploration of complex emotional landscapes. The screenplay, co-written by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, sets the stage for the quiet details of everyday life, tender moments of adolescent revel, sacrifice, conflict, and the underbelly of impending decisions and consequences. This is combined beautifully with Chen Kunhou’s assured direction, resulting in an engaging narrative that is both sensitive and profound.

Striking a balance between the personal and societal, Growing Up is a visual narration of nuanced characters, earnest performances, and an artful depiction of the human spirit. It serves as a time capsule that brilliantly captures the subtle and striking changes in Taiwan during a significant period. From its cinematographic brilliance to timeless storytelling, Growing Up is a gem of a film that leaves a deep impression on its audience, making it a masterpiece in the annals of Taiwan's New Cinema.