Feeding Boys, Ayaya

Feeding Boys, Ayaya is a captivating drama-comedy indie film set in the backdrop of metropolitan Beijing, released in 2013 and acts as a common ground for diverse cultures to meet, blending the traditional and the modern, and exploring themes of belonging, alienation, and friendship. This movie flies the flags of its director Cui Zi'en from China and lead actors Zhang Jian and Jia Ge presenting an exceptional plot which, while being delicate and sensitive, never renounces to surprise the viewer with unexpected turns of events.

At the heart of Feeding Boys, Ayaya is the complex and heartwarming dynamic of two very different characters, Ma Xiaojun portrayed by Zhang Jian, a laid-back, independent boy finding his way through life, and Zhao Guang played by Jia Ge, a mature, level-headed businessman constantly tackling the pressures of his work. Two lives that could never have intersected, caught in the bustle of Beijing, inexplicably intertwined by their shared struggle to keep dreams alive in the hubbub of a metropolis.

Ma Xiaojun is an orphan navigating life without guidance or support. A drop-out and a petty thief, he is a peripheral character to society's mainstream narrative, viewing the high-rises of Beijing from the lower waters, leading the life of an outsider. Zhang Jian's portrayal of Ma Xiaojun is compelling and heartfelt, making the character's loneliness and yearning to belong hit home.

On the complete opposite side of the societal spectrum is Zhao Guang, a successful businessman. Despite his outward display of accomplishment, he harbors a sense of loneliness and dissatisfaction. Through the character of Zhao Guang, Jia Ge offers the viewers a profound understanding of the subtle tragedy of an individual who seemingly possesses everything, yet feels an emptiness within.

The title "Feeding Boys, Ayaya" underscores one of the central themes revolving around the movie: food. Emphasizing survival and sustenance, the concept suggests a condition whereby 'feeding' or taking care of someone cultivates emotional and relational depths. In this frame, Ayaya becomes a symbolic cry, a call to engage in a dialogue about humaneness, guardianship, and the essence of what it means to 'feed' someone, literally and metaphorically.

The story is set into motion when circumstances lead to an unexpected encounter between Ma Xiaojun and Zhao Guang. The relationship that follows culminates not from an immediate bond but from each character’s unique place of desperation and companionship's innate human need. The rapport between them enlightens on matters of power, privilege, and the dichotomous real-life interactions between people from different walks of life.

A major strength of the movie is that while it does address heavy themes and complex dynamics, it does so without losing its humor and wit, arguably one of its most redeeming qualities. The interactions between the characters, the majority of which carry a compassionate undertone imbued with complexity, are underscored by quick wit and occasional element of hilarity that lends the narrative a light-hearted feel.

Feeding Boys, Ayaya is more than a film about two people—it’s an exploration of human interconnectedness and solitude within a society undergoing rapid economic and cultural transitions. It scrutinizes both comedic and tragic elements of life and creates a cinematic voyage that impacts the viewers long after the curtain has dropped.

Cui Zi’en has undoubtedly made a profound and memorable cinema piece. Be it through its plot, engaging character portrayals, or spot-on witty dialogues, the film gracefully poses intriguing aspects of societal conventions and humanity at large, prompting the audience to brood over its content well beyond the screening duration.

Feeding Boys, Ayaya is an authentic embodiment of its genre, a unique narrative construct, a profound character study, and a subtle commentary on society. The movie, with its enthralling storyline and compelling performances, is an unmistakable triumph of storytelling, effectively blurring the line between drama and comedy, sorrow and joy, despair and hope, marking its place as an entertaining and thought-provoking cinematic experience.