The Youth Subculture "In the Heat of the Sun"

Name Instructor Subject Date The Youth Subculture Ma Xiaojun’s actions together with other youths in the film “In the Heat of the Sun” by Jiang Wen in 1994 depict a revolutionary culture of the young people. With little parental care, the youth is left to explore the world with whatever fancies them. “Monkey” as friends call Ma Xiaojun’s father goes far away from home to work as military personnel. Monkey states that now he has freedom like other kids whose parents work in town. The monkey and his friends become wild, getting out of control even in class. It is shown how they make their history teacher’s class miserable. Causing trouble becomes Monkey’s game. He breaks into apartments steals and does different activities in people’s rooms without getting caught. It is evidenced how unruly the young generation of this time lives. Creativity disguised in self-discovery, but based on the wrongful end result characterizes Monkey’s life. His anxiety to discover secrets also draws him to his father’s box and stuff. In the midst of these actions, Monkey’s love life begins to unfold when he accidentally breaks into the Mi Lan’s room. A smile on a portrait attracts him to the girl. The desire to know and be close with Mi Lan grows. However, youth desperation, lack of parental guidance and being left in the world of unknown evidently drives the plot of the film. Young people submit to their desires, passions, and fantasies of life. They outwardly commit outrageous acts, smoke in public and not even the authorities can rectify their misbehaviors. Monkey and hi...