Tape - Review of the Raindance Film Festival 2025

      Tape, 2024.

      Directed by Bizhan M. Tong.

      Featuring Adam Pak, Kenny Kwan, Selena Lee.

      SYNOPSIS:

      After 15 years, three former classmates find themselves in Hong Kong, where they are compelled to confront challenging memories from their past. With high school long behind them, Jon (Kenny Kwan), a filmmaker, has returned to his hometown for a festival screening. Wing (Adam Pak) balances his work as a part-time lifeguard with an illegal side job: drug dealing. Wanting to indulge in some drinks and smoke with Jon, Wing has a hidden agenda for their reunion that becomes evident as they discuss his first love, Amy (Salena Lee). The mood in the room shifts significantly, and when Amy arrives, the true reason for Wing's invitation comes to light.

      This film serves as a striking and stylish reinterpretation of Richard Linklater’s 2001 film, Tape, adeptly delving into the intricacies of facing the past. Both Linklater and the original writer Stephen Belber are involved in this remake, with Salena Lee also contributing her perspective as she takes on the role of Amy. The transition of the story’s setting from the U.S. to Hong Kong is meaningful and adds a unique contextual backdrop that significantly enhances the narrative.

      The film resonates particularly in an era where many women still hesitate to speak out against abuse due to fears of judgment and potential ramifications for their careers. Viewers interested in Asian cultural perspectives and gender psychology will discover a wealth of insights in this film. It effectively presents emotional storytelling and dramatic depth in real-time, immersing the audience in the characters’ genuine experiences.

      While it isn’t necessary to watch the 2001 film beforehand, it’s fascinating to see the considerable updates brought forth by directors Bizhan M. Tong and Salena Lee. Without revealing too much, the most noteworthy change is the addition of introductory and concluding segments that showcase the characters fifteen years earlier. This aspect could have easily detracted from the original's “single location” premise, yet it is executed with impressive skill. The success of this approach lies in its ability to redirect the narrative focus to Amy, a high school graduate brimming with aspirations and dreams for the future.

      By interspersing these past glimpses through camcorder footage, the new Tape effectively transforms into a dual narrative comprising two tapes: one from 2009 and another from 2024. This clever narrative device underscores the fluidity of memory and how it can be influenced and "revised" by new information, introducing an intriguing psychological dimension to an already captivating project. This thoughtful examination of memory and perspective creates a compelling viewing experience.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert W Monk