Taiwan
Orz Boys
Review by Matthew Tsang
During a Q&A period with Yang Ya-che, the writer/director of Orz Boys, a question was asked about whether or not one of the two best friends in the movie was a representation of himself. To that, he answered that he created this strong bond between these two little boys because as a child he never had a relationship like that. He was usually just the kid in the library studying hard, and this film was a way to live the life he never had. It is apparent that this film urges the audience to always remember and be proud of your inner child.
Orz Boys is essentially about loyalty, comradery, and imagination, and all these things are encompassed within the relationship of the two protagonists, “ Liar No.1” and “Liar No.2”. The two boys, played by Pang Chin-Yu (No.1) and Lee Kuan-Yi (No.2) are flawless throughout the film. Yang Ya-che explains that the selection process of the boys was difficult: they chose twelve kids from hundreds of applicants, and trained those twelve for one of the two roles. Their efforts definitely paid off. The young actors are so natural in front of the camera that the characters’ creative games and activities together seem not contrived by a script, but seem rather genuinely brilliant. As a way of surviving their various family problems, the boys weave together a magical place - Hyper-Space, their fantasy land haven.
Orz Boys is not only an amazing film that is bound to touch both adults and children alike, but it provides a pure message to the audience about the irony of growing up. Because, although kids believe growing up means more freedom, the truth is that adults are like prisoners, and that it is the inner child within that sets us all free.
Orz Boys
Yang Ya-che | Taiwan | 2008 | 110min
Fri. Sept. 26 | 7:00pm | Pacific Cinematheque
Sat. Sept. 27 | 4:30pm | Pacific Cinematheque