Admin, Author at No Man Is An Island

Development Plans at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Spark Controversy

·May 5, 2024·3 min read

Over 4,000 have signed a petition against development plans by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University for the campus of its College of Hakka Studies, which is located in Zhubei Read More

Political Cartoon: Support from the CCP After the Earthquake in Taiwan

English Life

·April 15, 2024·1 min read

No Man is an Island presents a political cartoon on China's recent claims over Taiwan after the earthquake earlier this month Read More

Chinese Indie Band Stokes Outrage After Social Media Post Referring to Taiwan as Part of China

English Life Music

·April 3, 2024·3 min read

Chinese indie band YOUNG DAN stoked outrage after an Instagram post on Monday that referred to Taiwan as part of China. The offending text in the post read, “From Guangxi to Taiwan, China" Read More

The Metamorphosis in Hong Kong

English Life

·March 31, 2024·4 min read

I prodded something wet, like a mucus or slug, but with some thin fur. My eyes widened in horror and spent a few seconds clearing my mind. Then I slowly turned my head and caught a glimpse of a long elephant’s trunk, which was lying next to my pillow. Its two nostrils still trembling, as if it had something to tell me Read More

“Old Fox” Shines With Exemplary Acting and Nuanced Take on Inequality

Uncategorized

·March 30, 2024·3 min read

With superb acting and a stirring depiction of 1980’s Taiwan, “Old Fox” explores socioeconomic inequality through the lens of a child Read More

“Hotel Saltwater” Depicts Rural Taiwan During the White Terror

English Film

·March 25, 2024·2 min read

In its first two episodes, Hotel Saltwater is a capable enough depiction of the farmers’ movement during the White Terror. In particular, Hotel Saltwater is based on the life and times of farmers’ movement activist and eventual DPP legislator Tai Chen-yao, taking its name from a biography of Tai’s early life Read More

“During the Rains” Offers Character-Driven Look at Japanese Sex Workers Amidst COVID-19

English Film

·March 3, 2024·2 min read

Independent Japanese film "During the Rains" chronicles the lives of workers in a compensated dating cafe, offering little character background but much empathy Read More

“Dead Fishes” Depicts Generation Gaps and Poison Plots in a Tokyo Commuter Suburb

English Film

·February 25, 2024·2 min read

Japanese independent movie "Dead Fishes" offers an evocative depiction of slower-paced life in a Tokyo suburb, with a murder-related twist Read More

Is Post-Truth Discourse on the Rise from Influencers?

English Life

·February 20, 2024·3 min read

A number of recent incidents in Taiwanese society involve influencers behaving badly, in faking incidents of violent crime for hits Read More

“The Asadas” Snaps a Heartfelt Portrait of a Japanese Photographer and His Family

English Film

·February 18, 2024·2 min read

Based on the story of real-life Japanese photographer Masashi Asada, "The Asadas" teeters between cheer and melodrama Read More

“Yoko” Explores Liminal Spaces and Lingering Family Traumas on a Hitchhike Across Japan

English Film

·February 17, 2024·2 min read

Japanese indie film "Yoko" features Rinko Kikuchi as its titular character, who hitchhikes across Japan to her estranged father’s funeral Read More

“In the Morning of La Petite Mort” Paints Beautiful but Uneven Narrative Evoking Tsai Ming-liang

English Film

·January 15, 2024·2 min read

Reminiscent of Tsai Ming-liang’s "Stray Dogs", "In the Morning of La Petite Mort" follows the lives of three working class individuals at the edges of Taiwanese society Read More