Three Times

Three Times is a critically acclaimed Taiwanese romantic drama film released in 2005. Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, the film comprises three loosely connected love stories that take place in different time periods – 1911, 1966, and 2005.

The first segment is set in 1911, during the period of Japanese rule over Taiwan, and stars Shu Qi as a courtesan named Xiao Wei who falls in love with a young flutist (Chang Chen) working in a brothel. Their love is challenged by the social conventions of their time and by the class difference between them, as Xiao Wei is a wealthy and powerful woman while the flutist is a simple, working-class man. Despite their difficulties, the two struggle to stay together and express their love in a repressed and hostile society.

The second segment takes place in 1966, during the height of Martial Law in Taiwan. Chang Chen stars again, this time as a young soldier named Ah Mei who is stationed in a small town and falls in love with a local pool hall hostess (also played by Shu Qi) who dreams of becoming a singer. Their love is set against a backdrop of political turmoil and repression, and they must navigate the challenges of their time while trying to stay together and fulfill their dreams.

The third and final segment is set in 2005, in the present day, and stars Chang Chen once more as a freelance photographer named Jing who meets and falls in love with a girl named Jing (Fang Mei) who works in a bookstore. Their love is complicated by the pressures of modern society, including consumerism, technological isolation, and class differences. They must navigate these challenges while trying to express their feelings and connect emotionally in a world that is increasingly disconnected and superficial.

Throughout the film, director Hou Hsiao-hsien makes use of a variety of cinematic techniques to evoke different tones and moods in each segment. For example, the first segment is shot in a muted, sepia-toned palette that evokes the nostalgia and longing of the era, while the second segment is shot in bright, vivid colors that evoke the energy and vitality of the 1960s. The third segment, by contrast, is shot in a colder, more detached style that reflects the emotional distance between the characters and the world around them.

Overall, Three Times is a complex and lyrical exploration of love, desire, and human connection through three different lenses of historical and cultural context. The film presents a nuanced and poignant portrait of the ways in which love and intimacy are shaped by the social and political forces that surround us, and how we must struggle to navigate these forces in order to express ourselves and connect with the people we care about. With a talented cast, inventive direction, and stunning visuals, Three Times is a powerful and moving cinematic experience that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.