Soon to be released in the UK by Criterion Collection, A Confucian Confusion (1994) and Mahjong (1996) go hand-in-hand together – two accomplices that perfectly compliment one another and showcase Edward Yang's incisive satirical qualities. The former is a farcical masterpiece, so over-the-top in some places that it would only be possible for a few filmmakers, like Yang, to still retain the film's realistic undertones, despite the absurdity. And just like in Mahjong, A Confucian Confusion has a cruelty to the onscreen world that is frightening, with hints of hope and romance sprinkled in for good measure.
Taking place over the course of three days and two nights in contemporary Taipei, A Confucian Confusion follows the paths of a group of young people as they collide with one another. There are too many characters to list, but somehow Yang keeps an expert control on all of them, how they interact with everyone else and the world around them. Highlights include: the spoilt manchild Akeem (Bosen Wang); harsh business owner Molly (Suk Kwan Ni), whose didn't used to be this cruel; the decent but relentlessly worked Qiqi (Chen Shiang-chyi); the ever-scheming Larry (Danny Dun).
It's a fascinating setup, made all the more interesting that a large portion of these youngsters went to school together. They have known each other as children, where you expect they were more decent human beings, and now coexist together in the contemporary world as adults. A Confucian Confusion charts this harsh introduction to the work-oriented world of consumerism with comedy, scathing satire, and incredible detail. The world of Taipei, as it always is in Yang's films, is a vivid kaleidoscope of sounds and colours, a never-resting world that saw Taiwan accelerate into one of the world's commercial leaders in the 1990s. Yang peppers quotes and one-liners throughout A Confucian Confusion to add to the film's scope.
Just like in Mahjong, there is a romantic subplot that is beautifully placed within the ruthlessness of the others. Qiqi and Ming (Weiming Wang) are childhood sweethearts, constantly referred to by other characters as the perfect couple, something to be admired in this promiscuous world. Their relationship, however, falters along the way, but Yang is never too pessimistic about the state of affairs, always offering glimmers of hope amidst the selfishness of the world, even if it means starting all over again.
One other subplot of A Confucian Confusion involves Molly's company trying to acquire the rights to a story from an author. This leads Qiqi to his house, where Yang's analysis of traditional values in a contemporary society can be seen in their starkest glory. The author shows off other works to Qiqi, such as a new book that depicts Confucius in a modern world. In this story, people follow his teachings, but only because they think he is a charlatan, and thus by emulating him, they will find similar success. It is such a fascinating element to A Confucian Confusion, allowing Yang to run wild with these aforementioned notions and explorations, ones that crop up time and time again in each of his films.
Two Films By Edward Yang Blu-ray Special Features
- New 4K digital restorations, with 5.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
- Excerpts of director Edward Yang speaking after a 1994 screening of A Confucian Confusion
- New interview with editor Chen Po-wen
- New conversation between Chinese-cultural-studies scholar Michael Berry and film critic Justin Chang
- Performance of Yang's 1992 play Likely Consequence
- An essay by film programmer and critic Dennis Lim and a 1994 director's note on A Confucian Confusion
A Confucian Confusion will be released in a box-set alongside Mahjong by Criterion Collection UK on 25 August.
