Tai Bei ai qing gu shi

I had the privilege of watching a nice 16mm print of this fine little Taiwanese film and was genuinely moved by its bitter-sweet tale of pursuing the security of money versus the uncertainty of love. Sadly, many of us choose the former and as this film tells us with humour and pathos, love is all you need. This story of sweet sensitive pretty Pei-Li follows her indecision over what path to take in life as she struggles to raise her apparently autistic child. Her friend and co-worker at the hair-dressing salon, Pi Pi, shows her a way to make good money by selling her body to Japanese businessmen. This would bring Pei-Li much-needed money to pay for her son's treatment in the U.S. But at what cost to her dignity? And is a dark family secret the real reason for her son's despondency? Absurd situations and quirky characters abound which makes this film sparkle with enough originality to keep you attached throughout. Seek it out, watch it with an open spirit, let it move you then give a warm hug to someone who needs it most.