Born to Perform is a documentary that peeks into the daily life of Han, a young Taiwanese boy who assists his family in the maintenance of their opera troupe. The skills acquired by the boy, which range from switching out lightbulbs to performing in front of a live audience, are chronicled by the documentary's host (Jun-jie Gong) as he delves into the life of Han and his family. Through learning from Han in preparation for a role he's set to play in one of the troupe's performances, the host finds that committing to such a life is certainly no easy task. But coming out of this experience, the host finds that Han remains dedicated to his family's business despite all challenges, and that his family will guide him every step of the way.
By touching on major milestones the host sets out to accomplish, from interviewing Han to performing alongside him, Born to Perform effectively develops a relatable narrative of cultivating one's niche through determination. While the film focuses more on the production of the performance than the performance itself, this ultimately services the narrative, presenting the audience with a perspective on theater that is often overlooked.
While the film's visuals aren't groundbreaking by any means, it still manages to convey specific atmospheres in its simplicity. For the initial rehearsal scene, the dimmed lights of the training room serve to build anticipation and play homage to lighting techniques typical of theater productions. The topic of Taiwanese opera is given the utmost importance throughout the film, providing an overview of the subject that non-native viewers can relate to, whether through focusing on its major draws (actors, theatrics, sound design, etc.), or touching on intricacies (how different troupes are tied to different gods, or the pronunciation of stage props in Taiwanese Hokkien), the film is offers in-depth insight into Han's profession. My favorite part is when it highlights the major role Han's grandfather has played in his grandson's life, having worked hard in his heyday to financially provide for the family, as well as offering Han wisdom in the modern day. As grandparents play a prominent role in Asian societies, I particularly enjoyed seeing how influential he was in shaping Han's love for Taiwanese opera.
The film's message is to always follow your dreams, no matter how difficult challenges may seem.
I give Born to Perform 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. By Christian C. KIDS FIRST!
Born to Perform is a documentary that peeks into the daily life of Han, a young Taiwanese boy who assists his family in the maintenance of their opera troupe. The skills acquired by the boy, which range from switching out lightbulbs to performing in front of a live audience, are chronicled by the documentary's host (Jun-jie Gong) as he delves into the life of Han and his family. Through learning from Han in preparation for a role he's set to play in one of the troupe's performances, the host finds that committing to such a life is certainly no easy task. But coming out of this experience, the host finds that Han remains dedicated to his family's business despite all challenges, and that his family will guide him every step of the way.
By touching on major milestones the host sets out to accomplish, from interviewing Han to performing alongside him, Born to Perform effectively develops a relatable narrative of cultivating one's niche through determination. While the film focuses more on the production of the performance than the performance itself, this ultimately services the narrative, presenting the audience with a perspective on theater that is often overlooked.
While the film's visuals aren't groundbreaking by any means, it still manages to convey specific atmospheres in its simplicity. For the initial rehearsal scene, the dimmed lights of the training room serve to build anticipation and play homage to lighting techniques typical of theater productions. The topic of Taiwanese opera is given the utmost importance throughout the film, providing an overview of the subject that non-native viewers can relate to, whether through focusing on its major draws (actors, theatrics, sound design, etc.), or touching on intricacies (how different troupes are tied to different gods, or the pronunciation of stage props in Taiwanese Hokkien), the film is offers in-depth insight into Han's profession. My favorite part is when it highlights the major role Han's grandfather has played in his grandson's life, having worked hard in his heyday to financially provide for the family, as well as offering Han wisdom in the modern day. As grandparents play a prominent role in Asian societies, I particularly enjoyed seeing how influential he was in shaping Han's love for Taiwanese opera.
The film's message is to always follow your dreams, no matter how difficult challenges may seem.
I give Born to Perform 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. By Christian C. KIDS FIRST!
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