While taking responsibility is a huge step in one's personal development, there is no denying it can come at an unfortunate time. Nevertheless, minding other people and their needs and making them your prerogative for a while, if they are in need, is an important part of growing up and has therefore been at the core of many stories, films, books and even songs, which deal with being a teenager and finally progressing from the proverbial self-centered youth to an adult, or at least someone who behaves that way. In that regard, Taiwanese director Yi-Shan Lee's choice of subject for her altogether fourth short feature “Babes' Not Alone” is one which is quite traditional and very rewarding. However, with the addition of the busy streets of Taipei as the background to a story dealing with these issues, the foundation of the narrative gets an interesting layer.
Babes' Not Alone is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
It is an important day for Liang (Angel Lee) since it is her 18th birthday, and she is looking forward to her date later that night with a boy she has been going out with for quite some time. To her great disappointment, her mother not only forgets about her daughter's special day, but also commands her to take care of her brother's newborn baby. As all her protests go unheard, she sets out onto the streets of Taipei to search for ways to rid herself of her responsibility temporarily, but all her efforts seem to be unsuccessful. Eventually, she has to meet her date with her nephew still at her side.
Although it may not be the most original prospect, Lee's feature profits from two aspects which add certain layers to the story. The first one is definitely Angel Lee in the role of Liang, a young girl who, as many teenagers do at that age, wants to be taken seriously while her overall behavior at times does make her look immature. Through her performance, especially in her interactions with her family's neighbors, you can see a distinct lust for life in her eyes, a certain curiosity combined with an attitude that can explode if provoked. Her argument with two older boys who try and make fun of her may just be one of the most entertaining encounters in the feature, highlighting the aforementioned aspects of her character.
At the same time, Lee's vision of the urban setting along with Zhang Zhi-teng's cinematography emphasize the various elements of Taipei, the city through the eyes of the main character as well as parts of what seems to be her daily routine, for example, her morning walk through the apartment building where her family lives. There is a strong sense of location and place in many scenes, for instance, the clubs and fast-food-restaurants which Liang visits on her journey through the streets, making it more than just a mere backdrop.
In the end, “Babes' Not Alone” is a short feature about growing up and taking responsibility, whose cast and cinematography make it stand out among many similar stories dealing with the same issues. Even though it may not be that original, Yi-Shan Lee's talent for establishing atmosphere and depicting the environment of her characters is undeniable.
