Stray Dogs is a 2013 Taiwanese drama film directed by Tsai Ming-liang. The movie follows a father who works odd jobs and his two young children, a boy and a girl, as they struggle to survive in modern-day Taipei. The three of them live in a cramped and dingy apartment, relying on cheap food and meager wages to get by. The father, played by actor Lee Kang-Sheng, wanders around the city looking for work, often sleeping in abandoned buildings and parks. He is a quiet and withdrawn man, with little emotion or dialogue throughout the film. The children, referred to only as “boy” and “girl”, spend their days wandering the city, stealing food and playing in abandoned buildings.
As the movie progresses, we see glimpses into their past - their mother, who abandoned them, and the father's own struggles to cope with his life. The film is strikingly beautiful despite its gritty and bleak setting, with stunning shots of Taipei's urban landscape and the characters' faces.
Tsai Ming-liang is known for his slow-paced and minimalist filmmaking style, and Stray Dogs is no exception. The movie is intentionally slow and methodical, with long takes and little dialogue. It is a meditative and introspective film, forcing the audience to sit with the characters in their quiet desperation.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is a nearly 20-minute shot of the father staring at a large painting in a museum. The camera is fixed on his face for the entire time, while visitors mill around him, staring at the painting and then at him. He does not move or speak, but his face is so expressive that the audience can feel the weight of his emotions.
Another standout scene is a long, silent shot of the children eating an entire cooked cabbage as though it were an indulgent treat, revealing just how little they have to sustain themselves.
The film's title, Stray Dogs, is an apt descriptor for the characters' lives. They are rootless and disconnected, wandering the city aimlessly, unable to find a sense of belonging. The stray dogs in the movie, often glimpsed wandering the streets, are a visual metaphor for the characters' own lostness.
The film's ending is enigmatic and open to interpretation. It is a beautiful and haunting moment, leaving the audience to sit with the emotions the film has stirred up. There are no easy answers or quick resolutions in Stray Dogs, but the film lingers long after it ends, compelling the viewer to reflect on their own place in the world.
In conclusion, Stray Dogs is a slow and quiet film that rewards patience and contemplation. It is not a movie for everyone - its deliberate pace and sparse dialogue will likely turn off some viewers - but for those willing to engage with its themes of isolation and despair, it is a powerful and affecting work of art. It is a testament to the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
