Ramen

Sitting there after enjoying bowl of ramen with a beer. They both sat there in front of the noodle bar contented.

"So... show me the photos, where's the bling bling. I know for a fact that there's always an obligatory ring picture."

The engaged one took out the phone and after searching and swiping for a bit, produced a photo of the happy couple...

"Wow the ring looks great, that's a big rock"

The picture was of them happily smiling at the camera, no doubt somewhat staged, with her hands ever so slightly raised and in front, showing off the ring.

"Yeah, remember? I told you my mom gave it to me"

"She said take this... it may not have worked out for your dad and I, but I'm confident this will work out for you"

He couldn't even finish the sentence before the other one started bawling, the not cute or pretty kind of crying. The type that you just can't stop immediately, the happiness kind.

In the restaurant. In front of the noodle kitchen.

He just kept crying... and crying.

"Oh man, that hit hard... I guess, I'm one of the ones that can relate huh"

"I'm really happy for you, congratulations! You finally did it" 

He said... all the while trying to control himself and not make a scene.

Past Lives

“But the the truth I learned here is, you had to leave because you’re you

And the reason I liked you is because you’re you,

And who you are is someone who leaves

…

To Arthur, you’re someone who stayed”

"The Na Young you remember doesn’t exist here 

But that little girl did exist, she’s not sitting here in front of you, but it doesn’t mean she’s not real

Twenty years ago, I left her behind with you”

- Past Lives, 2023

____

I've watched this movie twice in 2 days. I couldn't get it out of my head after the first watch.

I manage to find a CAM cut and updated the quotes above, would like to look at another scene that stood out me.

Directors' choice to focus on wide shots which follows the conversation in Nora & Hae Sung's scenes vs. static shots with the Arthur & Hae Sung.

This film asks: do you have any regrets, and how do you make peace with said regrets.

____

It's giving me an answer that challenges what I am or what I believe in. I don't think this is losing myself, but a perspective shift that eternity is well... not what it's cracked up to be.

This film reminds me of a more "moving" (in both pun and non-pun) versions of Kogonada's Columbus, and I'm all for it.

Lion

Standing there in the room where the crowd had almost cleared up after an event. 

She recounted the troubles of trying to work through their differences, efforts. What he said, what she said, what he did, what she did, what he didn't do...

At first, she was still smiling, words laced with anger, sarcasms abound.

"I'm done". 

She said that with such confidence you almost believed her.

"So what's the plan then, with the kids?"

The smile faded. Her brows furrowed. She took a deep breath, looked away.

"He wants to fight for custody"

She said as her eyes started to well up.

"This would be my worst nightmare."

牛肉面店老板

I finished "Women in Tapei" (台湾女子图鉴) in December. There was a character in the earlier episodes, when the main character first got to Taiwan. She met a young man who is the owner of a beef noodle shop, and they started dating.

She however in the next episode, decided that she didn't want this, as the man was content with being a beef noodle shop owner for the rest of his life. This was therefore her "life" if she chose it.

She left him a note, “你很好，我们不合适，我们要的不一样” (You're great, we're not compatible, we don't want the same thing). After that, she had an internal dialogue “对不起，我想要的更多” (I'm sorry, I want more). More than what he can offer.

Well...

Congrats, I saw you got the CPA.

Happy birthday to you.

Summer and Fall

我不是流言 不能猜测你

疯狂的游戏 需要谁准许 

别人怎么说 我都不介意

我爱不爱你 日久见人心

爱久见人心 - 梁静茹 

下雨只不过 有谁为你刚哭过 

孤独只不过 一人走一段缓坡 

成熟只不过 等一切都不假思索 

心偶尔执着 在过于喧嚣的场所

在青春迷失的咖啡馆 - 王心凌

我好吗 有谁能倾听 有谁会同情 

独自等雨过天晴 等不回当时 拥抱的激情 

我很好 说给昨天听 跟今天一言为定 

换一张明天的风景 自己和自己同行

我好吗 - 梁静茹

Summer has come and gone. Fall has almost come and gone.

Wish everyone's operations are successful, focus.

When I'm feeling it, I should translate the above songs.