Given the gift to communicate with the dead, high school student Xie Jun-ya finds that her youth is escaping her. Adding to the sense of regret, the young medium finds that she is losing faith in her practices and how they are interpreted by her employers to try to aid the grieving. As a result, internal conflict pushes the medium to change the approach to her duties, a rebellious act that proves to give her deeper insight into the importance of her role within the culture.
“The Busy Young Psychic” is screening at Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh
At the forefront of the production is the exploration of traditional Chinese beliefs told from the perspective of a talented youth struggling to find her identity within the culture. Due to her age (high-school student), there is a certain want to rebel against the role assigned to her, highlighted by her own ‘coming of age' and a disagreement with how her words are reinterpreted through those who employ her services.
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This narrative is explored with a certain tact and understanding of different perspectives on the matter, while she eventually concedes to her role and through some fabrication in her words, the young psychics final revelation does not feel dictated by a force of oppression. Ultimately, the film frames the importance of cultural beliefs within a culture, through a protagonist that understands the imperfections and degree of faith needed to maintain ‘normalcy'.
Resting on the strength of the script, the rest of the movie seems serviceable, lacking defining features but showing an understanding of the craft of filmmaking. However, there is some appeal to a western audience to be invited into spaces where such ceremonies are practiced, and the overall presentation is not without its charms.
Complimenting the narrative direction, the young psychic ( Yu Pei-Jen) gives a convincing performance as a rebellious teenager tied to her sense of duty. This is highlighted by a run-in with a local politician that sees her ‘channeling' a god in order to get respite from his constant inquiries for help. Overall, the actor shows nice emotive range that is believable and reflective of the character's ‘old soul' persona.
“The Busy Young Psychic” may be lacking in flair, but the core narrative is both engaging and a refreshing statement on the approach towards traditionalism. Undeniably, director Chen He-Yu approached the subject with both sensitivity and understanding, which reflects in the sincere story that both celebrates and critiques the religious practices it explores.
