"Monga" is a Taiwanese coming-of-age film that was released in 2010. The film is directed by Doze Niu and stars Ethan Ruan, Mark Chao, Rhydian Vaughan, and Ko Chia-yen.
The story is set in the 1980s and centers around a group of five teenage boys who live in the Monga district of Taipei. The boys are all students at the same high school and are struggling with various personal problems.
Mosquito (played by Ethan Ruan) is a sensitive and introverted boy who lives with his grandmother and is constantly bullied at school. Monk (played by Mark Chao) is the leader of the group, but he has a troubled relationship with his father who is an alcoholic. Dragon (played by Rhydian Vaughan) is the tough guy of the group who has a talent for fighting but is also dealing with a difficult family situation. White Monkey (played by Ko Chia-yen) is the clown of the group and uses humor to mask his insecurities. A-Lan (played by Huang Teng-hui) is the youngest of the group and is trying to find his place among the others.
The five boys decide to join the "Gang of Princes," a local gang that is tired of being pushed around by other groups in the area. The gang is led by a charismatic leader named Geta (played by Ma Ju-lung) who takes the boys under his wing and helps to teach them how to fight and defend themselves.
As the "Gang of Princes" rise in stature, they come into conflict with other gangs who are jealous of their rising power. The boys must navigate these rivalries while also dealing with issues in their personal lives, including romance and family troubles.
The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. It received critical acclaim upon its release and was a commercial success in Taiwan.
