The Time to Live and the Time to Die

Directed by internationally acclaimed auteur Hou Hsiao-Hsien, The Time to Live and the Time to Die is a semi-autobiographical film released in 1985. It charts the life journey of a young boy named Ah-Ha (played by Chia-bao Chang) and his complex emotions living in the precarious times of 1940s and 1950s Taiwan. This award-winning film is a subtle, sensitive exploration of life, death, memory, and time, richly woven together by Hsiao-Hsien's standout direction.

Ah-Ha is part of a family and a generation caught in a conflict and struggle between roots and location. Their parents, originally from mainland China, move to Taiwan post-World War II during the Chinese Civil War—an upheaval that forced over two million people to relocate, including many government servants and intellectuals. Depicting the socio-political canvas in the backdrop, the director delves deep into the heart of human survival and emotional tenacity.

Neng Chang convincingly plays the father who yearns for the day he can return to his homeland but is unfortunately struck down by a debilitating stroke and retires to a life of prayer and solitude, while Ah-Ha and his siblings grapple with the harsh realities of their existence. Likewise, Chih-Chen Chen portrays Ah-Ha's aging mother, who also longs to return to the mainland while struggling to hold the family together and maintain a semblance of stability.

Set in the city of Hualien, the film observes Ah-Ha grappling with life's myriad trials and tribulations through the growing years of adolescence into adulthood. He watches his family and relatives grapple with the challenges of migration, time and memory. The film captures these quiet heartbreaks in Hsiao-Hsien’s signature observational and contemplative style, allowing us to truly empathize with each character’s struggles, victories, and losses.

The Time to Live and the Time to Die, though distinctively oriental in its underpinning, transcends the geographical boundaries with its universal themes of displacement, familial ties, coming-of-age, and the ambition for a better life. Despite the sorrowful circumstances, the movie also has moments of levity, offering glimpses of innocence, friendship, and love, enriching the storytelling experience.

Aesthetically, the film is beautifully composed and resplendent with a naturalistic atmosphere. The cinematography mimics the director's approach to storytelling and paints pictures that evoke sentiment and feeling. Shots are often long, static, and rich with ambient activity—a stylistic feature that Hou is recognized for—with characters entering and exiting the frame providing the film a unique rhythm. The mundane moments are as full of meaning as any larger event in the narrative, reflecting the everyday essence of life as contact between past, present, and future.

The score, dripping with the nostalgia of old Mandarin pop songs, evokes emotions and adds a touch of melancholic beauty to the film. The interweaving of music with the narrative is an essential part of the film's ability to transport the viewer into a time and place, a mark of Hou's signature realism.

The narrative strength of The Time to Live and the Time to Die is impressively paired with powerful performances, particularly from Chia-bao Chang, Neng Chang, and Chih-Chen Chen. Their nuanced portrayals breathe life into Hsiao-Hsien's deeply personal story, drawing the audience further into their trials, successes, and moments of despair and hope. They help depict a world that is relatable and empathetic, reflecting universal human experiences on screen.

In conclusion, The Time to Live and the Time to Die is not just a movie; it is a cinematic journey that signifies a generation's experience of displacement, longing, and resilience. It captures the ephemeral, fleeting nature of life and the ageing process in remarkably poignant ways. While deeply rooted in its Taiwanese setting, the film speaks a universal language that resonates with anyone who has ever reflected on their past, or pondered the legacies they will leave behind.

Regarded as a vital piece in the Taiwanese New Wave cinema, Hou Hsiao-Hsien's The Time to Live and the Time to Die continues to be a relevant and powerful exploration of human life, survival, and memory against the unforgiving canvas of history.