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“The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon” Proves an Uneven if Well-Executed Work

·November 30, 2024·2 min read

Despite garnering a number of awards and otherwise being a capably executed film, The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon ultimately proves an uneven work. This is primarily because of the movie’s failure to develop compelling characters or a cohesive narrative. Read More

“Didi” is a Gentle and Heartfelt Tribute to Adolescence

English Film

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Didi, the first feature-length film by a Taiwanese American director, Sean Wang, is a gentle and heartfelt tribute to the growing pains of adolescence Read More

“Dead Talents Society” is a Humorous Send-Up of Taiwanese Influencer Culture

English Film

·September 2, 2024·2 min read

Detention director John Hsu’s latest film, Dead Talents Society, is a capable and humorous if unremarkable work. Hsu’s aim seems to steer away from Detention’s serious subject matter, seeing as it is set during the White Terror, while maintaining the horror frame. But even if the film has mixed results, Hsu at least proves that he is equally adept at comedy Read More

“Suffocating Love” Is a Quirky Taiwanese Romance That Stumbles Through Its Bizarre Plot

English Film

·August 8, 2024·2 min read

From the same director as 2020’s Taiwanese indie romance hit "IWeirDo", "Suffocating Love" has technical merits but suffers from bizarre plot progression and insufficient character development Read More

“Gold Boy” Pits Teens Against Adults in Intrigues of Murder

English Film

·August 3, 2024·2 min read

Featuring a trio of teens who get repeatedly caught up in murder accusations and then witness an actual murder, "Gold Boy" wastes an intriguing premise through subpar execution Read More

“Breaking and Re-entering” Delivers a Heist with Taiwanese Comedy Vibes

English Film

·July 19, 2024·3 min read

Taiwanese buddy heist comedy "Breaking and Re-entering" won't blow anyone's minds, but will at least give Mandarin-speakers a decently entertaining 1.5 hour romp Read More

“18×2 Beyond Youthful Days” is a Taiwan-Japan Romance Co-production Reminiscent of “Cape No. 7”

English Film

·July 16, 2024·2 min read

Starring Greg Hsu Kuang-han and Kaya Kiyohara, “18x2 Beyond Youthful Days” follows faithfully in the footsteps of other Taiwanese and Japanese romance stories Read More

“The Time of Huan Nan” is a Heartful Time-Traveling Taiwanese LGBTQ Romp

English Film

·July 9, 2024·3 min read

With evocations of other notable Taiwanese movies, "The Time of Huan Nan" explores LGBTQ relationships, family, and Taipei’s Mongka district Read More

“The Tenants” is a Compact and Evocative Movie about Urban Poverty in South Korea

Film

·July 7, 2024·2 min read

Infused with soft dystopian sci-fi elements, "The Tenants" is a lean yet stirring movie that comments upon the bleakness of urban life in South Korea 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