Hou Hsiao-hsien 3: The Green, Green Grass Of Home (1982)

In this podcast, Richard and I discuss how much we both like this film, an early one of Hou's that we argue continues to be largely dismissed in account of his work. Here we admire what we see as his growth as a filmmaker: the increasing use of expressive long-takes, the filming from the inside of trains, the imaginative compositions, the handling of many people in the frame whilst still keeping dramatic focus, the deft control over various narrative threads. We notice that this is the third time in three fllms that we get scatalogical jokes but how now they're not used as superficial toppers but instead evoke character and feeling as well as laughs. There are songs and there is romance but we discuss how there is also much more than that: a highly skilled and enjoyable work. The blogpost for the podcast with more links and information is at: https://notesonfilm1.com/2021/05/01/thinking-aloud-about-film-hou-hsia-hsien-3-the-green-green-grass-of-home-1982/