Cheerful Wind (風兒踢踏踩, Feng er ti ta cai) is a 1981 Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. It is Hou's second film.
The film is also known as Play While You Play.[1]
The film was restored in 2018 and presented as follows: "Although largely crafted within the constraints of commercial genre sensibilities, the film employs a narrative approach that offers a reflection of the society of the time. Even in this early work, sketches of Hou’s signature themes can be gleaned, such as his explorations of Taiwan’s urban-rural divide and the complexities of modern love."[3] A similar assessment can be found in various other reviews:"Acclaimed Taiwanese director Hsiao-Hsien Hou’s second feature film Cheerful Wind is a touch more accessible and a good deal lighter-hearted than the latter fare which would win him accolades and adulation in equal measure. Nonetheless, this off-kilter romcom contains clear traces of his fingerprints, from the artfully framed shots, bright colours and bouncy soundtrack, to the quirky characters and unexpected plot curvature."[4]
The first sequence, for example, is seen as a film within the film, that would characterise later Hou films.[5]
The film is also noted as an example of new trends in the Taiwanese cinema of the 1980s, with a stronger presence of youth and pop culture.[6]
