Watch Father to Son

Father to Son is a powerful drama film, released in 2018, which takes an intimate look at the complex and strained relationship between a father and his son. Directed by Hsiao Ya-chuan and produced by Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien, the film explores themes of identity, masculinity, and family through a poignant and thought-provoking story.

The narrative of Father to Son is divided into two parallel timelines, with the first timeline set in present-day Taipei and the second timeline set in 1990s Kaohsiung, a port city in southern Taiwan. The protagonist of the film is a young man named Zhao Zheng, who is struggling to come to terms with his identity as a gay man while also trying to reconnect with his estranged father, Zhao Youyuan. The audience is introduced to the father-son duo in the present day, where they have a cold and distant relationship. It is clear from the outset that there is a lot of tension between the two, but the exact nature of their conflict is not immediately apparent.

The story then shifts to the past, where we see a young Zhao Youyuan (played by Michael Jong-Quin Huang) struggling to find his place in the world. He is a young man with dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, but his strict father disapproves of his chosen profession and wants him to go into business instead. Zhao Youyuan eventually gives up on his dreams and marries a woman named Xiaoyu (played by Meng-Po Fu), with whom he has a son, Zhao Zheng. It quickly becomes apparent that the marriage is not a happy one, and there is a lot of resentment and bitterness between the parents.

As the story unfolds, we see how the strained relationship between father and son in the present day is a direct result of the unresolved issues and trauma from the past. The film explores the complicated dynamics of masculinity, family, and sexuality with sensitivity and nuance, painting a vivid and moving portrait of a family in crisis.

One of the standout aspects of Father to Son is the incredible performances by the cast. Michael Jong-Quin Huang delivers a powerful performance as the conflicted and troubled Zhao Youyuan, while Aria Wang gives a stunning portrayal of the young Zhao Zheng. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and they perfectly capture the tension and emotional weight of their characters' relationship. Meng-Po Fu also delivers an excellent performance as the long-suffering Xiaoyu, adding depth and complexity to a character who could have easily been reduced to a one-dimensional stereotype.

Another notable feature of the film is its exceptional cinematography. The film is shot entirely in black and white, which adds a timeless quality to the story and accentuates the emotional intensity of the performances. The camera work is strikingly beautiful, with many shots that linger long after the scene has ended, creating a haunting atmosphere that complements the film's melancholic tone.

Overall, Father to Son is a powerful and moving film that explores complex themes with nuance and sensitivity. It is a story about fathers and sons, about the ways in which we are shaped by our past, and about the struggle to find acceptance and reconciliation amidst deep-seated pain and trauma. The film is a testament to the power of cinema to explore the human condition with depth and empathy and is highly recommended for fans of powerful and thought-provoking dramas.

Father to Son is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.