Days (film)

Days (Chinese: 日子; pinyin: Rìzi) is a 2020 Taiwanese slow cinema drama film directed by Tsai Ming-liang. It was selected to compete for the Golden Bear in the main competition section at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. It won the jury Teddy Award at the 70th Berlinale.

Days
Film poster
Traditional Chinese日子
Hanyu PinyinRìzi
Directed byTsai Ming-liang
Produced byClaude Wang
StarringLee Kang-sheng
Edited byChang Jhong-yuan
Release date
  • 27 February 2020 (2020-02-27) (Berlin)
Running time
127 minutes
CountryTaiwan
LanguageChinese

Typical of many Tsai Ming-liang films, Days is minimalist, slowly paced, and features little dialogue, without subtitles.[1][2][3] Lee Kang-sheng plays Kang, and Non is portrayed by Anong Houngheuangsy, a Laotian immigrant to Thailand in his first film role.[3][4]

Plot

Minimalist long takes of daily life show the middle-aged and middle class Kang (Lee), and the younger Non (Houngheuangsy). Kang lives alone, relaxing in his big house with a view of a goldfish pond in his backyard. Non lives in a spartan apartment. His day begins with religious worship at an altar. He then completes chores, namely the washing of vegetables. Kang travels to the city, seeking treatment for pain in his head and neck. After an acupuncture session, he schedules a massage at the parlor where Non works. Kang pays Non after the full body massage ends, and also gives him a gift, a small music box. Kang watches Non use the box, then shares a meal with him at the fast food restaurant nearby. After the meal, the two separate, and Non rests on a bench. He plays the music box again, but it can hardly be heard over the roadway noise.

Cast

Production

Principal photography took place starting in 2014,[5] during and after Tsai Ming-liang, Lee Kang-sheng, Claude Wang, and a cinematographer attended a theatre tour in Europe, followed by medical treatment in Hong Kong for Lee, which was also filmed.[6] The film's opening scene was shot in Tsai's living room in Taiwan.[7] In 2017, Tsai met Houngheuangsy and the two maintained contact via videotelephony, through which Tsai recognized Houngheuangsy's skill in cooking.[6] Some earlier scenes featuring Lee were not used,[6] and Tsai traveled to Bangkok to film on location,[8][9] including scenes of Houngheuangsy making food.[10] Tsai discussed with his cinematographer about ways to incorporate the captured footage into a film.[6] The film underwent a long-term post-production in Taiwan. In May and June 2019, Tsai secured funding from the Public Television Service to complete post-production.[9] Prior to the release of Days, Tsai Ming-liang discussed the film without naming it, stating that he was working without a concept for film in mind, adding only that it was to feature Lee Kang-sheng and another actor.[11]

Awards and showings

Days was selected to compete for the Golden Bear in the main competition section at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival.[12][13] It won the jury Teddy Award at the 70th Berlinale.[4]

Its premiere in the United States was scheduled for April 2020, at the Museum of Modern Art. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that showing was cancelled. The film was shown at the 2020 New York Film Festival.[14]

References
  1. Young, Deborah (28 February 2020). "'Days' ('Rizi'): Film Review | Berlin 2020". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  2. Debruge, Peter (27 February 2020). "'Days': Film Review". Variety. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  3. Mottram, James (28 February 2020). "Review | Berlin 2020: Days film review – Tsai Ming-liang's meditative drama offers another dialogue-free experience from the director". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  4. Lim, Emerson; Lin, Yu-li (29 February 2020). "Taiwan-based Malaysian director Tsai Ming-liang wins Teddy Award". Central News Agency. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  5. 洪, 健倫 (11 October 2019). "蔡明亮雄影談金馬風波 願順其自然隨遇而安" (in Chinese). Central News Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  6. Kasman, Daniel (28 February 2020). "Trapped Bodies: Tsai Ming-Liang Discusses "Days"". Mubi. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  7. Small, Christopher (5 March 2020). ""There's Really No Plan for This Film at All": Tsai Ming-Liang on Days". Filmmaker. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  8. Camia, Giovanni Marchini (9 March 2020). "Days review: Tsai Ming-liang makes his peace with sexual release". Sight & Sound. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  9. Su, Zhuo-Ning (2 March 2020). "Tsai Ming-liang on His New Approach to Filmmaking and Why Days Doesn't Need Subtitles". The Film Stage. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  10. van de Klashorst, Marc (27 February 2020). "Berlinale 2020 review: Days (Tsai Ming-Liang)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  11. Hughes, Darren. "A State of Uncertainty: Tsai Ming-liang on Days". Cinema Scope. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  12. "The 70th Berlinale Competition and Further Films to Complete the Berlinale Special". Berlinale. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  13. Dams, Tim. "Berlin Competition Lineup Revealed: Sally Potter, Kelly Reichardt, Eliza Hittman, Abel Ferrara". Variety. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  14. "NYFF58 Talk: Tsai Ming-liang". Film at Lincoln Center. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
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