MONGA

Taiwan, 2010, 140 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Doze, Niu Chen -Zer.

Monga is an area of Taipei, an old part of the town. It has a long tradition, even a gangster tradition. This film, set in the mid-1980s, shows life in Monga, the gangs, the overlords, the use of traditional weapons and the new gangs coming in with their guns, breaking the tradition but defeating and destroying the old structures.

The film is long, was very popular in Taiwan, but tests the patience of non-Taiwanese viewers with so much time given to watching the activities of young gangsters. The film does have a particular theme, a young man who is bullied but has martial arts skills, rescued by members of a gang and accepting him – with the result that he becomes a gangster when his main desire was actually to be welcomed and accepted. He goes through a moral crisis, especially as one of the main members of the group betrays the group and sides with the incoming gangsters.

The film can be compared with the portrait of gangsters in American films, in Hong Kong and Chinese films, treating the same era.

1.Monga as an area of Taipei, old, the streets, shops and businesses, traditions, the bosses and the gangs, issues of protection? The 1980s?

2.The vivid presentation of Monga, the narrow streets, shops and restaurants, homes? Realistic? The musical score and its moods?

3.The opening, Mosquito, his face, the cry? The confrontation, the gang? The gang of the Temple Front? The bonds? The recreation, Mosquito going to school, his mother and the boss, the haircut, glasses, his being mocked, the bullying? The leader of the other gang and his stance? The Temple Front and their protection? Issues of money, Mosquito chased, the fight, his show of strength? The Temple Front and the repetition of the opening sequence?

4.Mosquito, the voice-over about the group, the different stories and the visualising of each member of the group, the explanations? Family, background? Friends, together, going to the clubs, going to the brothel, the ritual ceremony of blood and bonding?

5.The boss generation, living in the past, the bands of brothers, loyal to each other despite their different turfs and clashes? The wars and the meetings?

6.Mosquito and his learning, sense of belonging, friendship? Having to buy the squid, the test? The chase and his eluding his pursuers? His mother and her concern?

7.1986 and the status quo? 1987 and change?

8.Mosquito and the brothel, the girl with the birthmark, attracted to her, not exploiting her, talking, bonding, the return, payment – and the imagination of his love for her?

9.Dragon and his leadership, son of the boss, skills? Monk and his IQ, the final deceit? Monkey and his being erratic? Al-Lan? and his ability to dance, smooth? As a group, with the different personalities?

10.The clash with the rival group, the sealing of the eyes and mouth with super glue? Dragon and his malice? Monk, his intervention, going to the doctor, the boy’s death?

11.The emergence of the boss from prison, different kind of talk, exercise of power, different turfs, the roles of the gangs? Monk and his being used? Changing his ideas?

12.The old boss, his advocating knives and fists for fighting, not guns?

13.The set-up of the deaths of the bosses, Monk and his role?

14.The Temple Front gang, the danger, the plan to go to the Philippines?

15.Betrayal, the fights, Monkey taken? Dragon and the confrontation with Monk, the truth, Monk’s disbelief?

16.Mosquito and his hearing what was happening, seeing Monk, the final fight with Monk, the embrace, stabbing him?

17.The old boss, his relationship with Mosquito’s mother, going to Japan, the postcard? The truth about his being Mosquito’s father? Mosquito entrusting his mother to him?

18.Taiwanese gangs and traditions, change? The futility of the gangs? The desire for friendship, friendships broken? Mosquito’s future?