«PINKY SWEAR-Whatever She Wants» by Tau Tau Menghan

Author Tau Tau Menghan, known as a writer of crime novels as well as for her “Sex & the City”-style columns in Chinese newspapers and magazines, now based in Berlin makes her feature directorial debut as thriller PINKY SWEAR-Whatever She Wants.

With her unique storytelling style and a penchant for the unconventional, Menghan takes audiences on a gripping journey through the depths of the human psyche.

The film is set in Berlin, a city where it was shot in a very short time, right on the set of a film produced by a sketchy company and orchestrated by a writer-director-whom Manghan also stars in-whose script begins to take on a life of its own. As the script’s intricate puzzles emerge, the entire cast and crew become entangled in a twisted web of mystery and intrigue.

Although intrigue and murder take center stage, the film escapes the label of a genre, interweaving experimentalism and conceptual research.

The complexity of a creative and tormented female self unravels in the pages of the script, revealing the author’s intent to explore a deep and dark femininity, concealed much beneath a facade of stereotypical eroticism in high heels and lollipops. The visual transposition also plays on the extensive use of strong contrasts, in the use of light, in the juxtapositions of characters and environments, creating an atmosphere of mystery and palpable tension. 

This thrilling cinematic experience blurs the lines between reality and fiction, challenging society’s expectations and exploring the modern woman’s search for authenticity and self-definition.

Tau Tau Menghan’s background as a mystery writer shines through in her approach to filmmaking, infusing the film with a sense of intrigue and suspense.

The characters portray internal worlds, leading the audience beyond the surface and into the realm of authentic connection, thanks to the performances of a cast on which they were sewn, starting with Nadine Nourney as Lady Papaya/Ginger, in a role that mixes of avoidance and weakness. Through their experiences, Menghan inspires reflection on the multifaceted nature of identity and the power of embracing one’s true self.

In this way, “Pinky Swear-Whatever She Wants” challenges audience perceptions and sparks thought-provoking discussions. Menghan’s directorial skill, combined with the exploration of individuality and empowerment, creates a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is captivating.