Wednesday, October 15, 2003, 7:00 PM
Cinema 21

A marvelous and touching coming-of-age story, BLUE GATE CROSSING, transcends the genre to become a film not only about coming out, but about the rare friendship between a boy and girl and ultimately about childhood and it’s fragile innocence. Set in modern day Taipei, Ke-rou and Yueh-chen are schoolmates and best friends. When Yueh-chen develops a crush on the school’s swim team star, Yueh-chen, Ke-rou reluctantly agrees to be the go-between. But things get complicated Yueh-chen decides he likes Ke-rou rather than her friend. What develops between the two of them is a mutual respect and admiration where Ke-rou feels safe to admit she likes girls, not boys. Their friendship blossoms affecting each in relevant but different ways. With remarkable and realistic performances from the three young leads, BLUE GATE CROSSING is one of those gems that seems to come out of nowhere and reminds us what film festivals are all about. This powerful little film will affect anyone who sees it.

Dir. Yee Chih-yen
2002 Taiwan 35mm 85 min Mandarin with English subtitles