Shower Movie Essay

A generation gap can be defined as differences in the priorities, views and attitudes among generations. It is usually caused by a lack of communication between people of different generations, and conflicts between tradition and modernity. These problems exist in every corner of the world, and especially in China, where “the mainstream of [its] traditional culture has always emphasized collective consciousness, as seen in sayings like, if you want to prosper, you should first help others prosper.” (Chongi 153) This traditional way of thought of Chinese culture is distinctively different from modern ways of thought, which mostly emphasizes independence and individual success in one’s life. As a result, “the country’s post-tradition ethical culture faces the dilemma of whether to hold on to tradition or abandon it,“ (Junren 185) In the film, Shower (1999), the director Zhang Yang’s use of symbolism and portrayal of relationships among characters highlight these contrasting intergenerational perspectives on tradition versus modernity, and the issue of generation gap in China. The main element the director Yang uses to address the contrasting perspectives of different generations is …show more content…
Even though he is successful in his business in Shenzhen, and earns more money compared to his father and younger brother, he becomes barely at ease in this intimate surrounding. A clear separation is demonstrated when Da Ming only takes shower despite the recommendation of bath-taking from his father. Also, the scene where Da Ming gives Master Liu a massage machine is sharply juxtaposed with the scene where Er Ming and Master Liu give the customers hand massages at the bathhouse. This evidently shows the two contrasting attitudes about