A Time to Live, a Time to Die

Taiwan. Original title: Tóngnián wangshì. The semi-autobiographical film on director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's childhood and adolescence, when he was growing up in Taiwan, living through the deaths of his father, mother, and grandmother. This depiction of childhood and adolescence draws heavily from the filmmaker's own boyhood. Like many of their compatriots, Hou's family moved from the mainland to Taiwan in 1948 and was unable ever to return. The film focuses on the widening generation gap in a family cut off from its cultural heritage.

At 47:15, Ru-Yun Tang, playing the Grandmother, picks up 3 guavas her grandson had just picked, and juggles them, laughing joyously. She then tells her grandson to try to juggle, and gives him advice and encouragement.

The entire movie may be seen here.