FESTIVAL ’90 : Screenings Present Pacific Rim Cultures

Green, Green Grass of Home

Taiwan Sunday, 2 p.m., Laemmle Grande, 349 S. Figueroa St.

Back in 1982, you might not have been able to predict, from this sentimental Taiwanese mountain village tale, the debut of a major international filmmaker--even though Hou Hsiao-hsien’s (“City of Sadness”) first feature was a huge local hit and a real career-booster. (Some Taiwanese critics believe he’s been going artily downhill since.) It’s an obviously commercial work, done in a more fulsome, popular style than usual for him: more moving camera, a slightly saccharine score, crowd-pleasing cuteness and humor. Its story--the adjustment of an idealistic teacher to a remote village and his battles with ignorance, predatory vamps and the destructive, electric-rod fishing poachers--almost suggests an Oriental “Corn is Green.” But Hou, remarkably, mastered all the tools of pop moviemaking the first time out. Later he found his distinctive voice.