Watch Dust in the Wind

Dust in the Wind is a Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien and released in 1986. The movie is a coming-of-age drama set in the rural areas of Taiwan during the 1960s. The story revolves around two young teenagers, Ah-yuan (Wang Chien-wen) and Ah-li (Xin Shufen), who grew up in a small village in Taiwan. The two of them fall in love during their teenage years, but their love is tested when Ah-yuan has to move to Taipei to find work to support his family.

The film portrays a realistic depiction of the rural lifestyle in Taiwan during the 1960s. The movie starts off with a scene where Ah-yuan and Ah-li walk through a forest, collecting cicadas to sell in the market, showing the simple life they lead. The two teenagers then find jobs in a textile factory in Taipei, where they experience the harsh realities of urbanization. The idea that a good life can be found only in the city is challenged by the director as the two protagonists find neither peace nor prosperity in the city.

The movie depicts the struggles of the working class, the emptiness of urban life, and the sacrifices that are necessary for survival. The film is a poignant exploration of the human condition and the impact of social and economic changes on the people, especially young people, living in rural areas of Taiwan.

Dust in the Wind is a film of simple beauty, with its utmost attention paid to the small details that reveal the nature of the relationships between characters. While Ah-yuan and Ah-li are the focus of the film, other characters, such as Ah-yuan's parents, their friends, and the people in their village, all play an important role in the story, reminding us that the struggles of the film's protagonists are a reflection of the realities of many in their community.

The film's overall tone is melancholic, with the visual style contributing to an emphasis on feelings of sadness and loss. The use of natural light, long takes, and sparse dialogue creates a deeply contemplative ambiance throughout the film. Dust in the Wind does not rely on big moments of drama to tug at the audience's heartstrings but instead invites the viewer to engage thoughtfully with the characters' lives and their struggles to make sense of the changes happening around them.

One of the strengths of the film is the way it handles relationships that are not just romantic. The parental relationships of the main characters are depicted with sensitivity and nuance, with Ah-yuan's parents in particular serving as a reminder that older generations have different aspirations and experiences that are often missed by young people.

Dust in the Wind may not be for everyone because of its slow pacing and its emphasis on reflection over action. The film is not one where everything resolves neatly, and there is no sense of a traditional "happy ending." There are moments that can be difficult to watch, such as the scene where Ah-yuan's father tries to sell his wife's cow to feed the family or the scene where Ah-li's mother destroys her daughter's personal belongings to prevent her from leaving home. However, these moments of hardship are balanced by moments of joy, and the film is never entirely hopeless. Ah-yuan and Ah-li's love story is sweet, and their relationship is depicted with sincerity.

In conclusion, Dust in the Wind is a beautiful and moving film that captures the essence of what it means to live in a world that is constantly changing. The movie's themes of social change, displacement, and loss are timeless and resonate today as much as they did when the film was first released. The director manages to make a profoundly affecting film that misses no detail in portraying the characters' lives with depth, honesty, and compassion. For those who are willing to meet the film on its own terms, Dust in the Wind is an unforgettable experience.