093. Edward Yang: Mahjong

We prepare for Edward Yang’s game of Mahjong and all we’re looking for is a fourth player (you!). The last of his works to get restored, and possibly his most cynical film, we find much to discuss with A Confucian Confusion’s evil twin in Yang’s filmography. Ben explores Yang’s depiction of sexual relationships, Eli expounds on Yang’s fascination with intergenerational misunderstandings, Wilson compares its heightened depiction of violence, and finally we answer the question… why’s it called Mahjong?

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:29) General Reactions

(08:35) Plot Summary; why’s it called mahjong?

(12:10) Transactional relationships, East and West

(16:07) Sex work

(24:00) Narrative and thematic construction

(31:30) Intergenerational misunderstanding

(36:48) Violence

(41:55) Romance and ending

(54:45) Outro