buygay.com

Review

Shao-dung (Lei Huang) is a cute cellist returning from America, when his fiancée, Ing'er (Rene Liu), takes him to see the captivatingly handsome opera singer Lin Chung (Chao-te Yin) perform in her father's theater. As both Shao-dung and Ing'er are entranced by the unique voice of Lin Chung, they both find themselves attracted to the star in different ways. The three become inseparable, but whereas Ing'er befriends Lin Chung, Shao-dung finds himself falling in love. To complicate this delicate matter, Lin Chung is having an affair with Huang (Li-jen Tai), a gangster who bankrolls the opera. While this is 30s China and such matters were quite delicate, the film is rather explicit as to their bedroom activities. As jealousies arise, hearts get broken.

A finely etched portrait of two men and a woman struggling, however tragically, with their sexuality, Fleeing By Night is an outstanding Taiwanese film. The film features all of the hallmarks of fine period pieces, notable acting, exquisite cinematography, sumptuous costumes and, as this film has a Chinese opera backdrop, striking music. (Mandarin with English subtitles)

Gary Kramer