Review | Berlin 2020: Days film review – Tsai Ming-liang’s meditative drama offers another dialogue-free experience from the director
- There is much to savour in ‘Days’, starring Lee Kang-sheng and Anong Houngheuangsy, in which Tsai explores humanity with sensitivity and depth
- The film is largely a dialogue-free experience, and focuses on two men who come together for a brief, intimate liaison
3.5/5 stars
Playing in competition at the Berlin Film Festival, the film’s catalogue claims that it is “without dialogue”, though in truth there are some brief exchanges – as promised, not translated with the help of subtitles. Largely, though, this is a dialogue-free experience, as Tsai trains his camera on his subjects – two men who come together for a brief liaison.
The opening shot sees Lee Kang-sheng, an actor Tsai has worked with since the 1989 television movie All the Corners of the World, sitting in his living room. A storm rages outside, as the plate glass of his window reflects the balcony and a tree buffeted by the wind.
With the scene lasting several minutes, with barely a flicker from Lee’s face, it’s a typical – and beautiful – moment constructed by Tsai, who encourages the audience to slow down to his glacial pacing.
Lee plays Kang (according to the production notes, as his character is not named). Meanwhile, Anong Houngheuangsy plays Non, a young man who we first see preparing a meal in his basic flat, carefully washing lettuce and chunks of fish before peeling vegetables.