Search - The Wayward Cloud on DVD


The Wayward Cloud
The Wayward Cloud
Actors: Lee Kang-Sheng, Chen Shiang-Chyi, Lu Yi-ching, Yang Juei-mei, Yozakura Sumomo
Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
Genres: Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interests, Musicals & Performing Arts
UR     2008     1hr 54min

Set against the backdrop of the city of Tapei, a jaded adult movie star daydreams in elaborate, erotic musical fantasies. Award-winning film director, Tsai Ming-Liang (VIVE L`AMOUR and I DON`T WANT TO SLEEP ALONE) weaves f...  more »

     
2

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: Lee Kang-Sheng, Chen Shiang-Chyi, Lu Yi-ching, Yang Juei-mei, Yozakura Sumomo
Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
Genres: Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interests, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Dance, Musicals
Studio: Strand Releasing
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 06/10/2008
Original Release Date: 01/01/2008
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2008
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 1hr 54min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 5
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: Chinese
Subtitles: English

Similar Movies

What Time Is it There
Director: Ming-liang Tsai
1
   NR   2002   1hr 56min
I Don't Want to Sleep Alone
Ws Sub
Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
1
   UR   2007   1hr 58min
 

Movie Reviews

Adult and Unusual
Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 05/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Wayward Cloud"

Adult and Unusual

Amos Lassen

"The Wayward Cloud" (Strand Releasing) is the new film from Taipei by director Tsai Ming-liang and it is causing a bit of controversy. The Taiwanese government spent two weeks deciding whether or not to censor it and they finally decided to let it play as it was made--uncensored and uncut. It is not porn but a critique of porn with the main idea of the film centering on alienation. The symbolic uses of a wayward cloud and drought represent "dryness" and "drifting" in society and further uses porn to represent how we, as people, do not connect with one another.
The film is somewhat grim but there are moments of lightness and it is a very interesting film visually.
The movie is set in a city that has no identity and in a society in which hardcore sex is the way of life. The action takes place in a very hot summer and everything is dry including the way people feel about each other. The two main characters were once friends and meet again after not having seen each other for a period. They slowly get close to one another and the warmth of their coming together is contrasted against the cold profession of the male who earns his living by being an actor in unemotional porn movies. Against this also are some really strange musical scenes and some very funny bits about crabs and watermelons. There is one hardcore sex scene which many may find offensive but it should not take away from the value of this excellent film.
"The Wayward Cloud" is a satirical view of longing and frustration and a solution to those problems. The movie includes cheesy 1960's homage to Chinese popular music and this gives a respite from the sex scenes that are used to make the restless state of wander that the characters seem lost in appear more sincere. "The Wayward Cloud" is a film that builds to a very satisfying climax and visually the film stuns the eyes. It, at times, however, tries the patience of the viewer but the images that are presented mesmerize.
One thing that is sure--you may never look at watermelons in the same way. However the insights into the human condition have a lot to say about loneliness and human isolation.
"
A fun musical with silent relationships.
Jason Pratt | Chicago, IL | 11/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wayward Cloud as I been reading is mostly described as slow film with way to much sex in it. Ok, but, the sex in this film is in no way sexual. If you're buying, renting or barrowing this movie do not watch it as a sexual film or as a piece art erotica. It's not Swimming Pool. It's a film exploring the separation of people through the digital age.

In the film, the main female character is not in anyway involved in pornography but has sexual interest in her old friend which happens to be a porn star. He though isn't able to express his sexual attraction to her because he has absolutely no interest in sex. Sex being his profession and not his pleasure. So he escapes into surreal fantasy of musical sequences. Which happen to be some of the funniest dance sequences I've ever seen.

That said the film is slow, poetic and completely captivating. I couldn't look away. I've seen this film now a few times, each time I've found myself captured by the silent relationship of the characters. This film is not for everyone, not at all. It's for the people interested in Art Films and if you're a person that doesn't scare because some one naked on screen then it wouldn't hurt. But this film is great. Its ability to capture and effect the viewer is more effective than any films coming out now. And it being an almost silent film helps it being a foreign film. Almost no subtitles."
Art
John B. Goode | Earth | 09/12/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Viewers should take heed of the director Tsai Ming-liang's creed. He creates art and not movies, and this certainly isn't a movie in the way we think of movies. This movie does tell a story, sort of. But the movie really is a series of little-dialoged vignettes interspaced with musical numbers, that may or may not have anything to do with the story.

The story is about a man (a seemingly unenthusiastic porn actor) and a woman who meet and have an affair during drought stricken Taiwan. There is very little spoken dialog throughout. It's definitely not your regular movie which moves along through speech and actions of the actors. Instead, we are shown scenes. Tsai Ming-liang has won numerous awards at film festivals and is widely acclaimed, so who I am to say whether this movie is good or not. I can only say that it is my personal opinion that I thought the musical numbers were great, but the vignettes were very slow. And considering that about half the vignettes were sex scenes, that's saying something."
Clearly not for just anyone, including me!! Bizarre at best
Rizzo | Denver, CO | 09/11/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot describe this foreign art-house film, but I can say a few things. It is filled with blatant sex, graphic sex, boring sex, weird sex. The 2005 film is set in Taiwan where there is a water draught. Water bottles are everywhere, and includes watermelons, used as a sexual object. The film is satirical, but bizarre and one may not get all the satire or symbolism. Don't try to figure the plot, as there is none.

According to an interview in Asian cinema, Director Tsai Ming-liang said, "I am not interested in dialogue or telling a story. I'm not trying to put over a clear message. It is not important, what the film is trying to tell you - but what you feel about it. Think about, what you feel."

There is little dialogue here, and what I can gather is that a low budge porn star connects with a girlfriend. Some strange musical dance numbers are sprinkled into the film. These are coloful dance numbers, and some of the music is in the tune of 50's American popular hits. The lyrics to the musical numbers are present, but different from the American lyrics.

In conclusion, this has to go in my Listmania of Foreign Film Too Bizarre with way too much bizarre pornographic sex. The subtitles are clear and easy to read. Not for me, and many folks for that matter ....Rizzo


"