Welcome, film buffs and curious explorers! ๐ Are you ready to dive into the captivating, often understated, but profoundly moving world of Taiwanese cinema? Far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, or the action-packed blockbusters, Taiwanese films offer a unique, deeply introspective, and visually stunning cinematic experience. They tell stories of history, identity, family, urban alienation, and the quiet moments that shape our lives.
From the groundbreaking New Wave directors who redefined Asian cinema to the vibrant new voices pushing boundaries today, Taiwan has produced a treasure trove of cinematic gems. Let’s embark on a journey through its rich film history and uncover 10 absolute must-watch films that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. โจ
The Enduring Soul of Taiwanese Cinema ๐น๐ผ
Taiwanese cinema holds a special place in the global film landscape. It’s often characterized by:
- Poetic Realism: A focus on everyday life, often slow-paced, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the characters’ worlds and emotions. Think long takes, natural light, and a sense of quiet observation. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ก
- Historical Reflection: Many films grapple with Taiwan’s complex history โ the Japanese colonial era, the KMT authoritarian rule, the transition to democracy, and the unresolved tensions with mainland China. These historical backdrops often provide a poignant context for personal stories. ๐๐
- Family & Intergenerational Dynamics: The family unit is a recurring theme, exploring the bonds, conflicts, and unspoken emotions that tie generations together. ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ๐ฒ
- Urban Loneliness & Modernity: Especially in films from the 80s and 90s, the bustling, ever-changing cityscape of Taipei often serves as a backdrop for stories of isolation, unrequited love, and the search for connection in a rapidly modernizing society. ๐๏ธ๐ถโโ๏ธ
- Distinctive Auteur Voices: Taiwan has been a fertile ground for visionary directors who developed highly personal and influential styles, becoming masters of the craft. ๐จ๐ฌ
The Revolutionary Taiwanese New Wave (1980s-1990s) ๐
The 1980s marked a pivotal moment, giving birth to the Taiwanese New Wave. Directors like Hou Hsiao-Hsien (ไพฏๅญ่ณข) and Edward Yang (ๆฅๅพทๆ) broke away from commercial melodrama, embracing a more artistic, independent, and socially conscious approach. They focused on realistic narratives, often featuring non-professional actors and exploring the social changes and historical scars of Taiwan. This era put Taiwanese cinema firmly on the world map, winning numerous international awards. ๐๐
Beyond the Wave: A Vibrant Present ๐
While the New Wave set a high bar, Taiwanese cinema has continued to evolve. Directors like Ang Lee (ๆๅฎ) brought Taiwanese talent to global blockbusters, while later filmmakers like Tsai Ming-liang (่กๆไบฎ) pushed the boundaries of slow cinema and minimalist storytelling. More recently, a new generation is exploring contemporary themes like LGBTQ+ rights, youth culture, and genre filmmaking (horror, comedy) with a unique Taiwanese flair. ๐๐ฌ
๐ฌ 10 Must-Watch Taiwanese Masterpieces! ๐ฌ
Now, for the main event! Here are 10 indispensable films that offer a panoramic view of Taiwanese cinematic brilliance.
1. A City of Sadness (ๆฒๆ ๅๅธ, 1989)
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Year: 1989
- Why it’s a must-watch: The first Taiwanese film to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, this is a monumental epic that captures a critical period in Taiwan’s history: the arrival of the KMT government and the subsequent “White Terror” crackdown. It follows a family caught in the crosscurrents of political upheaval, beautifully shot with Hou’s signature long takes and natural light. It’s a poignant, heartbreaking, and essential historical document. ๐๏ธ๐
- Themes: History, political oppression, family, communication breakdown, the search for identity.
2. Yi Yi (ไธไธ, 2000)
- Director: Edward Yang
- Year: 2000
- Why it’s a must-watch: Often hailed as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, Yi Yi (meaning “one by one”) is an intimate, sprawling masterpiece about a middle-class Taipei family navigating the complexities of modern life. Through the eyes of different family members โ a businessman facing a mid-life crisis, his wife seeking spiritual renewal, their teenage daughter experiencing first love, and their young son capturing the “back of people’s heads” with his camera โ Yang crafts a profound meditation on existence, time, and the human condition. It’s deeply insightful, moving, and surprisingly relatable. ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ๐
- Themes: Family, identity, urban life, mid-life crisis, coming-of-age, the passage of time.
3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (่ฅ่่้พ, 2000)
- Director: Ang Lee
- Year: 2000
- Why it’s a must-watch: While technically a co-production with the US, this Wuxia epic is synonymous with Ang Lee’s global breakthrough and features a largely Taiwanese and Chinese cast. It redefined the martial arts genre for a global audience, blending breathtaking action sequences with a deeply emotional story of love, duty, and freedom. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and countless others, proving that Taiwanese talent could dominate on the world stage. ๐๐ก๏ธ
- Themes: Love, freedom, duty, martial arts philosophy, gender roles.
4. Vive L’Amour (ๆๆ ่ฌๆญฒ, 1994)
- Director: Tsai Ming-liang
- Year: 1994
- Why it’s a must-watch: For a taste of the more experimental and minimalist side of Taiwanese cinema, look no further than Tsai Ming-liang. Vive L’Amour follows three lonely individuals who unknowingly share an empty apartment in Taipei. With minimal dialogue, long takes, and a stark, observational style, Tsai crafts a profoundly melancholic and beautiful portrait of urban alienation, desire, and the search for connection in a disconnected world. The final scene is legendary for its raw emotion. ๐๐
- Themes: Loneliness, urban alienation, sexuality, unspoken desires, the search for connection.
5. Eat Drink Man Woman (้ฃฒ้ฃ็ทๅฅณ, 1994)
- Director: Ang Lee
- Year: 1994
- Why it’s a must-watch: Before Crouching Tiger, Ang Lee charmed audiences with this delightful and heartfelt film. It tells the story of a master chef, Mr. Chu, and his three unmarried daughters in Taipei. Food, in all its sensory glory, becomes a central metaphor for love, family, tradition, and change. Each Sunday dinner is a ritual of culinary mastery and unspoken family drama. It’s warm, funny, and deeply touching, showcasing Ang Lee’s ability to blend cultural specificity with universal human experiences. ๐จโ๐ณ๐ฒโค๏ธ
- Themes: Food, family, tradition vs. modernity, love, communication, aging.
6. The Puppetmaster (ๆฒๅคขไบบ็, 1993)
- Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Year: 1993
- Why it’s a must-watch: Another monumental work by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, The Puppetmaster is a unique blend of documentary and fiction. It tells the life story of Li Tian-Lu, a famous Taiwanese puppet master, against the backdrop of Japanese colonial rule and World War II. Hou masterfully weaves together interviews with Li, recreations of his life using actors, and archival footage. It’s a visually stunning, deeply contemplative film that explores personal memory, cultural heritage, and the relationship between history and art. ๐๐
- Themes: Memory, history, art, tradition, identity, colonialism.
7. Dear Ex (่ชฐๅ ๆไธไป็, 2018)
- Director: Mag Hsu, Hsu Chih-yen
- Year: 2018
- Why it’s a must-watch: A vibrant, often hilarious, and ultimately deeply moving contemporary film that tackles themes of love, loss, and acceptance with a fresh perspective. It centers on a widow who discovers her recently deceased husband’s life insurance payout is bequeathed to his male lover. What follows is a chaotic, emotional, and surprisingly tender exploration of grief, family, and LGBTQ+ relationships in modern Taiwan. It’s sharp, witty, and boasts fantastic performances. ๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐
- Themes: Grief, LGBTQ+ rights, family, acceptance, unconventional love, modern society.
8. The Great Buddha+ (ๅคงไฝๆฎๆๆฏ, 2017)
- Director: Huang Hsin-yao
- Year: 2017
- Why it’s a must-watch: A stunning black comedy that mixes social commentary with dark humor, The Great Buddha+ is a visual and narrative marvel. It follows two impoverished friends who stumble upon evidence of their boss’s corruption and secrets while reviewing dashcam footage. Shot mostly in stark black and white, with bursts of color for certain elements, itโs a poignant and satirical look at class disparities, morality, and the lives of those on the fringes of society. It’s smart, cynical, and unforgettable. โซ๏ธโช๏ธ๐
- Themes: Class, corruption, morality, social inequality, fate, dark humor.
9. Our Times (ๆ็ๅฐๅฅณๆไปฃ, 2015)
- Director: Frankie Chen
- Year: 2015
- Why it’s a must-watch: For a lighter, more nostalgic, and incredibly charming experience, Our Times is a delightful coming-of-age romantic comedy. Set in the 1990s, it tells the story of an ordinary high school girl who teams up with the school’s most notorious troublemaker to win the hearts of their respective crushes. It’s full of humor, heart, and undeniable chemistry, evoking a powerful sense of youthful longing and first love. Hugely popular in Taiwan and across Asia. ๐ crushes. It’s full of humor, heart, and undeniable chemistry, evoking a powerful sense of youthful longing and first love. Hugely popular in Taiwan and across Asia. ๐๐ซ
- Themes: First love, friendship, nostalgia, youth, growing up, self-discovery.
10. The Bold, The Corrupt, and The Beautiful (่ก่ง้ณ, 2017)
- Director: Yang Ya-che
- Year: 2017
- Why it’s a must-watch: This Golden Horse Award-winning film is a captivating, intricate drama about a powerful family of women manipulating and scheming their way through high society and politics. Set against a backdrop of art dealing and corruption, it’s a dark, stylish, and utterly engrossing tale of ambition, betrayal, and the dark underbelly of power. The performances, particularly by the female leads, are absolutely mesmerizing. ๐ ๐ฐ
- Themes: Corruption, power, family, betrayal, female agency, social commentary.
Where to Watch These Gems? ๐ป๐
Many of these films are available on various streaming platforms. Depending on your region, you might find them on:
- Mubi: Known for its curated selection of art-house and international cinema.
- Criterion Channel: A treasure trove for classic and significant films.
- Asian streaming services: Such as iQIYI, Viki, or regional Netflix libraries.
- Amazon Prime Video / Google Play Movies / Apple TV: For rentals or purchases.
- Local film libraries or art-house cinemas: Keep an eye out for special screenings or retrospectives!
A quick Google search for “[Film Title] streaming” in your region should usually point you in the right direction! ๐๐
Ready to Explore? ๐
Taiwanese cinema offers a rich tapestry of stories, emotions, and artistic vision. Whether you’re drawn to the quiet introspection of the New Wave, the global appeal of Ang Lee, or the bold new voices of today, there’s a film on this list to captivate you. So grab some popcorn (or a bubble tea! ๐ฅค), settle in, and let these incredible films transport you to the heart and soul of Taiwan. Happy watching! ๐ G