Taiwan, a small island nation with a powerful cinematic voice, has carved out a unique and esteemed place in global cinema. From the profound introspection of the New Wave directors in the 1980s to the vibrant, genre-bending storytelling of its contemporary filmmakers, Taiwanese cinema offers a rich tapestry of human experience, historical memory, and artistic innovation.
If you’re looking to dive into the heart of Taiwanese storytelling, you’ve come to the right place! This curated list takes you on a journey through the evolution of Taiwanese film, highlighting 10 essential movies that capture its enduring spirit and artistic brilliance. Get ready to explore tales that are deeply personal, historically significant, and universally resonant. 🎬🇹🇼
I. The Genesis: Taiwan New Wave (1980s-1990s) 🌊
The Taiwan New Wave emerged in the 1980s, marking a radical departure from the propaganda-heavy or commercially-driven films of the past. Led by visionary auteurs like Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Edward Yang, and Tsai Ming-liang, this movement championed realism, long takes, nuanced character studies, and a deep exploration of Taiwan’s history and social changes. It brought Taiwan to the forefront of international film festivals and established its reputation for profound, art-house cinema.
Let’s begin our journey with some of its undeniable masterpieces:
1. A City of Sadness (悲情城市, 1989) – Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Why it’s essential: This film is a monumental achievement, not only for Taiwanese cinema but for world cinema. It was the first Chinese-language film to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, bringing unprecedented international attention to Taiwan’s film industry. It bravely confronts the sensitive “228 Incident” (February 28 Incident) of 1947, a period of violent political suppression by the KMT government, a topic long considered taboo.
- What it’s about: Set in the late 1940s, the film follows the Lin family, a family of four brothers, through the turbulent transition of Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule to KMT governance. It’s a poignant portrayal of how political turmoil ripples through and devastates individual lives and families.
- Why you should watch it: Its poetic visual style, long takes, and deeply moving narrative make it a powerful historical epic. It’s a somber, yet beautiful, meditation on memory, loss, and the scars of history. Prepare for a truly immersive and heartbreaking experience. 💔
- Keywords: Historical epic, 228 Incident, family saga, political turmoil, Golden Lion.
2. Yi Yi (一一, 2000) – Directed by Edward Yang
- Why it’s essential: While released at the turn of the millennium, Yi Yi is widely considered the magnum opus of Edward Yang and a culmination of the New Wave’s thematic concerns with urban alienation and the complexities of modern Taiwanese life. It won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.
- What it’s about: The film follows the Jian family in Taipei over the course of a year, exploring the midlife crises of father NJ, his wife Min-Min, their teenage daughter Ting-Ting, and their young son Yang-Yang. Through their intertwined stories, Yang masterfully dissects the joys and sorrows of urban existence, marriage, first love, and the search for meaning.
- Why you should watch it: Yi Yi is a profoundly insightful and tender examination of everyday life. It’s filled with quiet moments of profound realization and asks big questions about life’s purpose with a gentle, observant eye. It’s relatable, melancholic, and ultimately very human. 🏙️
- Keywords: Family drama, urban life, existentialism, modern Taipei, Cannes Best Director.
3. Rebels of the Neon God (青少年哪吒, 1992) – Directed by Tsai Ming-liang
- Why it’s essential: This film is the audacious debut feature of Tsai Ming-liang, another pivotal New Wave director, and immediately announced his unique, minimalist, and often darkly humorous style. It captures the restless energy and alienation of youth in early 90s Taipei.
- What it’s about: The story follows Hsiao-kang, a young man who drops out of cram school and becomes obsessed with two petty criminals, Ah-tse and Ah-ping, after Ah-tse vandalizes his father’s taxi. Their paths intertwine in a humid, lonely Taipei, marked by aimless wandering, quiet despair, and unfulfilled desires.
- Why you should watch it: Tsai’s distinctive visual language—long takes, minimal dialogue, and a focus on urban spaces—creates a palpable sense of mood and atmosphere. It’s a raw, honest portrayal of urban angst and the search for connection in a world that often feels indifferent. If you appreciate films that make you feel rather than explicitly tell, this is for you. 💧
- Keywords: Urban alienation, youth, debut feature, minimalist, 90s Taipei.
4. Vive L’Amour (愛情萬歲, 1994) – Directed by Tsai Ming-liang
- Why it’s essential: Solidifying Tsai Ming-liang’s international reputation, Vive L’Amour won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It’s a quintessential Tsai film, further exploring themes of loneliness, unrequited desire, and the search for intimacy in a detached urban landscape.
- What it’s about: Three strangers unknowingly share an empty apartment in Taipei. May Lin, a real estate agent, secretly uses it for clandestine meetings. Hsiao-kang (played by Tsai’s regular collaborator Lee Kang-sheng), a street vendor, finds a key and moves in temporarily. Ah-jung, a clothing salesman, is also involved with May. Their paths cross, but true connection remains elusive, leading to moments of profound solitude.
- Why you should watch it: Its deliberate pacing, sparse dialogue, and focus on physical presence create an almost suffocating sense of urban loneliness. The film’s iconic final scene, a long, unbroken take of a woman weeping in a park, is one of the most powerful and unforgettable moments in modern cinema. It’s a beautiful, melancholic elegy for the disconnected soul. 😔
- Keywords: Loneliness, urban anonymity, unrequited love, Golden Lion, minimalist.
II. The Resurgence: Contemporary Taiwanese Cinema (2000s-Present) ✨
After the peak of the New Wave, Taiwanese cinema faced challenges, including declining box office numbers. However, the 2000s and 2010s saw a remarkable resurgence, characterized by greater genre diversity, bolder storytelling, and a renewed connection with local audiences. A new generation of filmmakers emerged, alongside New Wave masters continuing to innovate, embracing everything from romantic comedies and gritty crime dramas to thought-provoking horror and LGBTQ+ narratives.
Here are some standout films from this dynamic period:
5. Cape No. 7 (海角七號, 2008) – Directed by Wei Te-sheng
- Why it’s essential: This film was a game-changer. It became the highest-grossing Taiwanese film of all time (at that point), igniting a local box office boom and proving that Taiwanese films could captivate their own audiences again. It’s a heartwarming, feel-good story that resonated deeply with local identity.
- What it’s about: Aga, a frustrated rock musician, returns to his hometown of Hengchun (near Kenting’s Cape No. 7) to work as a postman. He’s tasked with delivering a package of unsent love letters from a Japanese teacher to his Taiwanese lover, written 60 years ago. Meanwhile, a Japanese pop star’s concert is planned in town, forcing Aga and a motley crew of local amateur musicians to form a band as the opening act.
- Why you should watch it: Cape No. 7 is a charming blend of comedy, romance, and music. It celebrates community spirit, local Taiwanese culture (especially the Hakka and Indigenous Amis cultures), and the enduring power of dreams. It’s a heartwarming and genuinely funny film that truly marked a new beginning for the industry. 🎸
- Keywords: Box office hit, romantic comedy, music, local identity, community.
6. Monga (艋舺, 2010) – Directed by Doze Niu
- Why it’s essential: Monga was a huge commercial and critical success, tapping into the enduring fascination with Taiwanese gangster culture while offering a stylish and often brutal coming-of-age story. It solidified the appeal of a new wave of local genre filmmaking.
- What it’s about: Set in the Wanhua district of Taipei in the late 1980s, the film follows Mosquito, a shy high school student who transfers to a new school and falls in with a group of charismatic gangsters. As he delves deeper into their world, he experiences brotherhood, violence, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the underworld.
- Why you should watch it: With its slick visuals, compelling performances (including Mark Chao and Ethan Juan), and intense action sequences, Monga offers a gritty yet stylish look at loyalty and power within the criminal underworld. It’s an energetic and often tragic tale of friendship tested by fate and ambition. 👊
- Keywords: Gangster film, coming-of-age, brotherhood, 1980s, Wanhua.
7. The Assassin (刺客聶隱娘, 2015) – Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien
- Why it’s essential: Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s triumphant return to Cannes, where he won Best Director for The Assassin, proved that New Wave masters continue to push boundaries. This film reimagines the wuxia genre (martial arts fantasy) with Hou’s signature poetic style, focusing on visual artistry and contemplative storytelling rather than just action.
- What it’s about: Set in 9th-century China during the Tang Dynasty, the film follows Nie Yinniang, a highly trained assassin who is ordered by her master to kill her cousin, Tian Ji’an, a provincial governor. Torn between her duty and her personal feelings, she grapples with her past and her conscience.
- Why you should watch it: The Assassin is a feast for the eyes, with breathtaking cinematography and meticulous attention to historical detail. It’s a wuxia film unlike any other – more meditative and visually stunning than action-packed. It’s an immersive experience that transports you to a world of beauty, stillness, and quiet contemplation. 🦋
- Keywords: Wuxia, historical drama, visual artistry, Cannes Best Director, meditative.
8. Dear Ex (誰先愛上他的, 2018) – Directed by Mag Hsu & Hsu Chih-yen
- Why it’s essential: This film was a breakthrough for its frank and compassionate portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes, gaining international recognition through Netflix and winning multiple Golden Horse Awards. It’s a modern family drama that challenges traditional notions of love and identity.
- What it’s about: After his father dies, teenage Song Chengxi discovers that his father’s life insurance payout is going to his male lover, Jay, instead of his mother, Liu Sanlian. A bitter custody battle ensues, as Chengxi is caught between his volatile mother and his father’s eccentric, free-spirited boyfriend, forcing them all to confront their grief and redefine what family means.
- Why you should watch it: Dear Ex is a witty, heartbreaking, and surprisingly funny film. It tackles complex themes of grief, unconventional families, and societal prejudices with nuance and authenticity. The performances are exceptional, particularly Hsieh Ying-xuan as the furious yet vulnerable widow. It’s a fresh, modern take on the family drama. 🌈
- Keywords: LGBTQ+, family drama, grief, dark comedy, Golden Horse Awards, Netflix.
9. A Sun (陽光普照, 2019) – Directed by Chung Mong-hong
- Why it’s essential: A Sun was a critically acclaimed powerhouse, sweeping the Golden Horse Awards (Taiwan’s equivalent of the Oscars) including Best Feature Film, and was Taiwan’s submission for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. It’s a sprawling, intense family drama that explores the darker sides of life with profound emotional depth.
- What it’s about: The film centers on the A-Ho family. The younger son, A-Ho, is sent to a juvenile detention center after being involved in a violent crime. His older brother, A-Hao, is a seemingly perfect, top-performing student. Their father, A-Wen, a driving instructor, initially disowns A-Ho, while their mother, Qin, tries to hold the family together. The story unfolds as secrets and suppressed emotions come to the surface, revealing the complexities of their relationships.
- Why you should watch it: A Sun is a masterclass in storytelling, expertly weaving together elements of crime drama, family tragedy, and redemption. It’s unflinching in its portrayal of pain and struggle, yet deeply human and ultimately hopeful. Prepare for a gripping and emotionally resonant experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. ☀️
- Keywords: Family drama, crime, fate, redemption, Golden Horse Awards, Academy Awards submission.
10. Detention (返校, 2019) – Directed by John Hsu
- Why it’s essential: Based on a wildly popular horror video game, Detention broke box office records for a horror film in Taiwan and garnered critical praise for its atmospheric tension and poignant historical allegory. It proved that genre films could also carry significant cultural and political weight.
- What it’s about: Set during Taiwan’s “White Terror” period (a time of martial law and political oppression from 1949-1987), the film follows two students, Fang Ray-hsin and Wei Chung-ting, who find themselves trapped in their school after hours. The school transforms into a terrifying realm filled with vengeful spirits and dark secrets, forcing them to confront the brutal truth of their past and the dangers of forbidden knowledge.
- Why you should watch it: More than just a horror film, Detention uses its supernatural elements to powerfully explore the psychological trauma and political repression of the White Terror era. It’s genuinely chilling, visually striking, and offers a unique blend of horror, historical commentary, and coming-of-age drama. A must-see for those who appreciate horror with depth. 👻
- Keywords: Horror, historical allegory, White Terror, video game adaptation, political commentary, box office hit.
III. Conclusion: Beyond the Screen 🎬
From the quiet intensity of the New Wave masters to the dynamic narratives of contemporary storytellers, Taiwanese cinema offers a wealth of stories that are both deeply rooted in local culture and universally appealing. These 10 films are just a starting point, but they represent the diverse artistry, compelling narratives, and enduring spirit that define Taiwanese filmmaking.
Whether you’re drawn to historical epics, intimate family dramas, gritty thrillers, or visually stunning art-house pieces, there’s a Taiwanese film waiting to captivate your imagination. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and let these incredible films transport you to the heart and soul of Taiwan. Happy watching! 🍿❤️ G