For many years, the Kinmen (Quemoy) archipelago was an important Taiwanese military base due to its proximity to the People’s Republic of China. Paradise in Service is set there when the archipelago was still under military administration in the late 60s/early 70s, and follows the coming of age of the young conscript Pao (confidently played by Ethan Juan) during his mandatory three year term.
Although initially selected for training in the infamous and exceptionally tough Sea Dragon unit, which quickly turns out to be an anathema to his quiet temperament, the subsequent turn of events find him reposted to Unit 831: a military run brothel established to boost the morale of the troops. Although in some respects such a relegation amounts to an embarrassing disgrace for Pao, it soon becomes apparent that life at this ‘teahouse’ is a relative paradise compared to the situation others in the outpost have to endure.
Director, executive producer and co-writer (with Li-ting Tseng), “Doze” Niu Chen-Zer adeptly weaves several poignant storylines around Pao’s central narrative and indeed this is, in general, an expertly made film: well-acted, well-shot and well-edited. Paradise in Service works very well on the level of a romantic drama and is very enjoyable to watch: it is both human and humorous, if tending toward the sentimental.
However, the film doesn’t really take up the baton of relating more accurately the true predicament that Unit 831 sex workers found themselves in at this time and the high lustre allows us to become easily detached from those atrocities that it does show. Kinmen military brothels were shut down in 1990 because they were considered to be in violation of women’s rights, but Paradise in Service presents a more idealised version of brothel life, without genuinely showing the extent of these abuses.
Not that the film distances itself from depicting tragedy of course, but it does so mainly as a way of providing contrast to the film’s romance and humour, throwing them into relief. This is a shame, as despite its excellent resources (including a great cast), ultimately Paradise in Service does not plunge itself headlong into the controversial subject matter at its core, but instead prefers to remain in the shallows.
Showing as part of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2015