Vive l’amour (1994)

Hard to believe that the best time of year is creeping upon the pod and we find ourselves completely unprepared to celebrate. If you have been with us since the beginning you well know that Sam and I love October more than any other time of year, and we try to post episodes more focused on the horror genre. It’s been a helluva 2025, and quite frankly real life continues to interrupt our fun. Nevertheless the pod soldiers on, and we think this episode will please the serious film buffs out there. While Ang Lee is a household name for many moviegoers, many will not know the name Tsai Ming-liang, the director of this film as well as many other great titles from Taiwanese cinema. Our pod friend Vivica Dunlap recommended this title, and per usual the film is excellent, as well as eerily mirrors the very interesting times we are living in. Considering that the film just celebrated its 30th anniversary, that’s pretty scary! In all seriousness though, Tsai’s film is painted in sumptuous shadows both visually and emotionally. Amidst the hopeless backdrop of 1994 Taipei, it still conveys humor and perseverance, in spite of the circumstances and environment. Winner of “The Golden Lion” 1994 Venice Film Festival, Vive l’amour deserves its honored place in Taiwan’s rich heritage of cinema. Have a listen, and moreover we encourage you to watch. Episode link: https://www.cinemaasweknowit.com/reviews/vivelamour