Watch Paradise In Service

Paradise In Service is a 2014 Taiwanese film that follows the journey of a group of young men as they embark on their mandatory military service at an army base in the 1960s. The movie, directed by Doze Niu, stars Ethan Juan as the lead character, Xiao Mei, alongside Jianbin Chen and Regina Wan as supporting cast members. The story is set during a time of political tension between Taiwan and mainland China, following the end of the Chinese Civil War. The movie shines a light on the often grueling and torturous experiences faced by Taiwan's young soldiers during that period, and the psychological toll that military service can have on a person.

Xiao Mei, a young and inexperienced recruit, is sent to serve in the military after being kicked out of school for getting caught stealing. He quickly learns the harsh reality of military life, which is made even more challenging by the language barrier between him and his Mandarin-speaking superiors. Despite the difficulties, he does his best to adapt and fit in, all the while trying to maintain his dignity and sense of self.

Throughout the movie, we see various aspects of military life in Taiwan during the 1960s, such as the strict rules and regulations governing soldiers' behavior, the grueling and exhausting daily routine, and the stark contrast between the impoverished lives of the local villagers and the relative privilege of the soldiers.

As Xiao Mei struggles to adjust to this new reality, he forms an unlikely friendship with Jie, a fellow soldier from mainland China who has also been conscripted into the Taiwanese army. Jie teaches Xiao Mei about the differences between the two cultures, and the pair bond over their shared experiences of being stuck in a foreign land, far from their families and loved ones.

However, tensions start to run high when Jie's Chinese heritage becomes a point of contention among their fellow soldiers, who begin to suspect him of being a communist spy. As the tension mounts and relationships start to fracture, Xiao Mei is forced to confront some harsh truths about his own identity, and the ways in which his own prejudices and biases may be contributing to the situation.

Paradise In Service is a poignant and deeply affecting movie that offers a unique view into a little-known aspect of Taiwan's history. The movie paints a vivid picture of the challenges and struggles faced by young soldiers during that time, while also exploring themes of identity, culture clash, and prejudice. The performances by the cast are exceptional, and the cinematography is outstanding, effectively conveying the stark beauty of the Taiwanese wilderness, as well as the claustrophobic confines of the army barracks.

Overall, Paradise In Service is a movie that deals with complex and challenging themes in a nuanced and sensitive way, and is well worth watching for anyone interested in Taiwanese history, military life, or simply a well-crafted and thought-provoking drama.

Paradise In Service is a 2016 romance movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.