Watch That Day, On The Beach

That Day, On The Beach is a 1983 Taiwanese drama film directed by Edward Yang. It tells the story of three young people - two boys, Ben and Huang, and a girl, May - who spend a day at the beach contemplating the fragility of life and love. The film opens with Ben and Huang riding their bicycles to the beach, discussing their hopes for the future. Ben wants to study overseas, while Huang dreams of becoming a successful businessman. When they arrive at the beach, they meet May, a beautiful but troubled girl who is recovering from a suicide attempt. The three of them spend the day together, swimming, playing games, and talking about their fears and aspirations.

As the day wears on, May becomes increasingly withdrawn and melancholy. It slowly emerges that she is haunted by the memory of a tragic event that happened on the same beach two years earlier, when she witnessed the drowning of a young boy. This traumatic experience has left her struggling with existential questions about the value of life and the inevitability of death. Ben and Huang do their best to comfort and reassure her, but they too are grappling with their own doubts and uncertainties.

Throughout the film, there is a sense of impending doom, as if some terrible event is about to unfold. The camera lingers on the empty beach chairs and the desolate landscape, conveying a sense of isolation and loneliness. The characters' conversations are infused with a deep sense of nostalgia and regret, as they look back on their pasts and ponder what might have been.

Despite its heavy subject matter, That Day, On The Beach is a visually stunning film, with lush cinematography and evocative music. The performances by the three leads - Sylvia Chang, Ming Hsu, and Lieh Lee - are subtle and nuanced, capturing the complexities of their respective characters. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions feel authentic and unforced.

What sets the film apart, however, is its profound meditation on the human condition. Through its portrayal of three young people grappling with the meaning of life, the film asks some of the most fundamental questions of existence: What is the purpose of our lives? What happens after we die? How do we make sense of the world around us? These are timeless questions that have been asked by philosophers, theologians, and writers for centuries, and yet the film manages to address them in a way that feels fresh and relevant.

In the end, That Day, On The Beach is a haunting and melancholy film that leaves a lasting impression. It is a testament to the power of cinema to evoke profound emotions and inspire reflection on the human experience.