Film Name: 慌心假期 / Midnight Fly
Under the current patriarchal regime, women have gained a degree of independence but remain the weaker sex. They can only resist male dominance through their own means. Michelle’s “mad” search exemplifies this phenomenon. According to Foucault’s theory, “any act opposing existing social systems or ideologies may adopt the form of ‘madness,’ for all resistance must diverge from prevailing ideologies and manifest as irrationality in the eyes of old customs, thus being labeled ‘madness’ by established authorities.”
Feminists contend that since prevailing cultural norms are fundamentally shaped by patriarchal discourse—characterized by rationality and logic—women’s resistance must break through this male-dominated narrative through irrational, illogical means. By drawing from their own sensual experiences and desires, women express their authentic spirit. Michelle did not comply with her husband’s arrangements to return home, nor did she rely on the police or others to search for Miki. Instead, she persistently pursued the search herself, using her actions to challenge and resist male discourse through a silent, frenzied form of resistance.
Though Michelle possesses a degree of independence—achieving personal and economic autonomy—her inner self remains dependent on men. After discovering her husband’s affair, she maintained the marriage. When her friend Miki vanished, she sought help from her husband, the police (symbols of the state apparatus), and diplomatic officials—all emblems of patriarchal authority.
Miki falls for a married man, refusing to acknowledge her role as his mistress and constantly striving to escape this awkward position. In essence, she battles to shed the shadow of patriarchy weighing on her heart—the rejection of her love. Kidnapped during their trip, she later becomes a prostitute. During their escape, Michelle is shot and killed while trying to save her. Throughout this ordeal, Miki remains a powerless victim under male domination. Her sole act of defiance comes when she hears Michelle’s gunshot, returns to rescue her, shoots the trafficker, and fires several more shots in a vengeful rage. Yet this proves futile. She can only watch helplessly as Michelle dies in her arms, left to cry out in despair amidst the wilderness.
This is a tragedy of women resisting male hegemony. They not only declare what modern women desire but also articulate what they reject: the psychological burdens imposed by husbands or lovers, discrimination, and the refusal to accept weakness or neglect. The film concludes their rebellion with a tragic ending, marked by Michelle’s sacrifice and MiKi’s helpless cries. Such an ending is harrowing, yet it mirrors a harsh reality. For the root of this tragedy lies in the tangible and intangible oppression of male dominance. Resisting patriarchy and dismantling male discourse hegemony cannot be achieved solely through sporadic feminist movements. What is paramount is the awakening of women’s autonomous consciousness—a rebellion from the depths of their souls—to ultimately attain true freedom and liberation.
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