Review | A Confucian Confusion movie review: 1994 social satire from Taiwanese master Edward Yang is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago
- Back in cinemas for its 30th anniversary, Edward Yang’s comedy follows a group of self-absorbed men and women trying to navigate society in newly rich Taipei
- The film exposed the insecurities of Taiwanese about their Confucian roots and relationship with mainland China – issues which still resonate today
4/5 stars
Newly restored and back in cinemas to mark its 30th anniversary, Edward Yang De-chang’s A Confucian Confusion is perhaps one of the most commercially minded films in the late Taiwan New Wave director’s oeuvre.
A screwball comedy of manners set in the fast-paced business world of a newly wealthy Taipei, the film examines the clashes of tradition vs modernity, art vs business, and love vs money within a group of increasingly desperate and lovelorn individuals over a chaotic couple of days.
At the centre of Yang’s maelstrom of modern malaise is Molly (brilliantly played by Ni Shu-jun), the beautiful, spoiled head of a flailing PR firm financed by her rich fiancé, Akeem (Wang Bosen).
Molly’s primary confidante is her personal assistant and college pal, Qiqi (Chen Shiang-chyi), but when Molly makes her fire aspiring actress Feng (Richie Li) over a jealous misunderstanding, Qiqi also quits, sending both women into an existential tailspin.
The men in their lives are equally at a loss over how to effectively navigate their swiftly evolving society. Qiqi’s fiancé, Ming (Wang Wei-ming), also a former schoolmate, works a thankless government job while still living with his mother (Elaine Jin Yan-ling).