Discoveries from Taiwan World Cinema

Taiwanese movie

The Incredibly valuable Six Gems is stolen from a fortress-like jewelry establishment in medieval China. The plot thickens when the #1 suspect, Pan Chen-Feng (played with sinister glee by Lo Lieh) is mysteriously poisoned in this unique Asian who-dun-it murder mystery.

Composed of a series of portrait shots of mostly anonymous individuals, filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang's digital experiment turns the human face into a subject of dramatic intrigue.

A con man murders his competition through Vampire Jiang Shi controlled by a Taoist Priest. His plans for domination are in jeopardy when the brother of a recent victim fights back with occult connections of his own.

On the same day, in the same accident, Wei loses his pregnant wife and Ming her fiancé. In Buddhism, one is given 100 days to mourn for the dead. Like two mice lost in a labyrinth, Wei runs around in circles while Ming calmly creeps down a determined path. But the pain and sorrow linger on. With the 100th day approaching, they wonder if they'll ever be able to say goodbye.

David Chiang is backed into a corner. He must fight his way out to face the ultimate sword duel with the master of swords, Tien Peng.

With demeanor, looks, and glamorous, women can hold money, hold their chests, and bow down under his Italian leather shoes. Niu Lang Zhijie has a woman of his own but still sells his flesh, dealing with rich women all day long. It is even more related to the mistress of the underworld boss. The truth was revealed, the mistress was killed, and the boss wanted to find the man who made him wear a green hat, and he became involved in a gangster dispute...

Yu Tien Lung returns to his hometown to avenge the murder of his parents, a task in which he is prepared himself for by studying martial arts for twenty years. His resolution wavers when, after successfully killing the lesser villains, he falls in love with the daughter of the enemy. Will he now be able to take revenge for his parents’ murder?

Hsi Shih: The Beauty of Beauties was one of the most ambitious films made in the Taiwan film industry in the 1960s. After leaving The Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong and moving to Taiwan, filmmaker Li Han-hsiang mounted this historical epic. Told through the story of Xishi (Hsi Shih), one of the 'Four Great Beauties' of Chinese history, the film portrays the war between two Chinese Kingdoms during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C). After the kingdom of Yue is defeated by the kingdom of Wu, King Goujian of Yue takes pains to prepare for his revenge and rebuild his country. Knowing that King Fucha of Wu is lewd and lustful, he offers Xisi to the court of Wu to serve as Fucha’s concubine, with Fucha unaware that she is also a spy. She uses her charm to draw Fucha away from his office and governance, while King Goujian rallies his forces together to attempt to reclaim his lands.

A young boy searches a small fishing village for his parents from a past life.

F4 Music Party Concert was a two-night concert by F4. It was their first concert and featured music from their first album, Meteor Rain. The concert took place from October 20 to 21, 2001 at the Neihu Super Dome in Taipei, Taiwan.

After returning to Taiwan for the New Year, Pu Nien's life is turned upside down when her mother, Yu Ling, falls seriously ill, revealing long-hidden secrets. As Pu Nien grapples with her mother's condition, she also faces challenges in her own personal life, including the complicated dynamics with her girlfriend, Tsai. Meanwhile, Tsai is torn by her past and must make difficult decisions that will impact her future with Pu Nien.

A naive kung-fu student (Lung Ti) falls under the influence of a corrupt master. Soon the student realizes his master plans to dominate the martial arts community by stealing a legendary martial arts book that's supposed to bestow its owner with extraordinary powers. And his master will stop at nothing - including murder - to possess that book. Now, with the help of a sympathetic female fighter and an intriguing drunk, the student must lead a rival kung-fu sect in a deadly tournament against his master and his kung-fu stablemates to keep the book out of the wrong hands.

The story of Ming Ling Shur, a girl who was raised by apes and thus has a natural ability with monkey kung fu. She grows up and falls for a prince who is really an evil kung fu master, who exploits her abilities for his own gain.

Dodo is indulged in collecting and wearing beautiful high heels until she encounters an accident and loses her legs.

This one has ghosts, hoppers and magic shennannigans!

In a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal, newly married and pregnant Pema tries to make the best of her new life. But soon, her first husband Tashi vanishes on the trade route to Lhasa. Accompanied by her monk de facto husband, Karma, she embarks on a journey into the unforgiving wilderness to find him, evolving into a quest of self discovery and liberation.

Antonio, a travelling missionary priest, seems innocent — until he wields his cross (containing a hidden treasure) as a weapon during a train robbery. While on the train he befriends a man named Dragon, who helps him fight the bandits who want the cross.

A marriage between nobles in Ancient China sets the stage for murder, monsters, and mutilation as the invited guests search for a secret hidden treasure. A search that leads them through dark evil forests, opulent palaces, and each other! When two sick and twisted killers enter the fray it is up to our hat wearing hero to straighten things out and put the warlords, henchmen, and evil ninja six feet under! But is he working for the law, or himself?

Taiwanese movie

An upstanding young man commits a reckless act that ends in life changing tragedy. His doomed rival becomes his friend only to become his rival again.

Huang Qiuxia Limkokwing really in love with the rich kids and have tire bead dark end, but I'm gonna get married when they are not innocent mother to Huang Qiuxia net worth by forcibly dismantled, Limkokwing wife and marries another woman a good match, Huang Qiuxia then take refuge in the countryside aunt gave birth Zhiqiang independent custody. A few years later, Limkokwing's wife was confirmed not have children, parents, in order to extend the Lin family incense way to do so Zhiqiang Shi Huang Qiuxia returned to the Lin family leave Renjieguizong, however, did not accept the young Zhiqiang life without a mother, repeatedly tried return to the mother's side, but in the attempt suffered a heavy rain led to dying, Huang Qiuxia because of this excitement, slip fall stairs become mad woman.

Chun Hua, who has been away from home for years after cutting her father off, receives the news of her grandfather's death and has no choice but to return home with her daughter for the funeral. Her father, whom she hasn't seen in years, is as cold and rude as ever, and doesn't look kindly on them. And when night falls, the family seems to be hiding more horrible secrets.

Jolin Tsai transforms into Agent J for her new album and music movie! Decked in tight black leather, the Taiwanese diva has even more surprises and sultry dance moves in store for her fans. Jolin's last album, Dancing Diva, not only brought her to the top of the charts, it also won her the Golden Melody Most Popular Female Singer and Best Female Vocalist awards. Expectations are naturally high for her new album, and the ever versatile Jolin is upping the ante with ten new tracks and her first ever music movie.

When South China martial artist Pan is defeated and killed by North China challenger Tan in a legfighter duel, Pan's younger brother Pak vows to crush Tan with his own unique style of ferocious footwork.

Little Death, child of The Grim Reaper, have problems to follow the steps of his infamous father.

Tung-Ching’s life has changed since a car accident three months ago. The lifeline on his right hand was scratched off in this incident. A nurse told him that his life is no longer controlled by fate but has become unpredictable since then. Three months later, Tung-Ching’s father has suffered a stroke so he has to take over the family pawnshop. His girlfriend, Eiko, who is interested in palm reading, wants to retrieve Tung-Ching’s lifeline. However, Tung-Ching is apathetic to know what the future holds. He starts to flirt with one of his female customers who he names her “ Know-all”.

A comedy about the advertisement business, set in modern Taiwan.

The story is about a licentious emperor during the Tang Dynasty.

Sega's children, born into post-war Chinese rule, can't relate to their father's love for Japanese culture, having grown up under Japanese rule before WWII.

It's the year 1999, Hei-shu, a long-term unemployed man, finally gets a job in a local musical band, performing at funerals and weddings. One day, Hei-shu's cat is missing. He later suspects that the cat has turned into a woman.

Little Han lives in the mountains with his great-grandmother, Auntie Han-hsiao. In rainy days, Little Han sits in front of the fireplace listening to Auntie Han-hsiao’s colorful and mysterious tales. One day he sees an injured and dying sparrow. With sadness, he digs a small cave and buries it.

Taiwanese romantic drama set in a mining town starring Brigitte Lin.

Two woman and a man set up a detective agency. What passes for a story follows two of their cases. The first involves a glamorous woman who has found a key in her husband's wallet, and wants it investigated. It turns out to be a trap to blackmail rich men. The other involves a woman who believes her property is haunted and her husband possessed, and involves a cult where a bald man says incantations over nude women.

Xue Ping, an out of town war veteran and Ahong a high school night school student both take the train to visit Taipei and wander around Taipei city, spending a strange and chaotic day. From time to time these two people's lives intersect. When the sun sets, they finally run into each other, stirring up the drama, and the revelation of a sixty year old sad and beautiful gay love story.

Aming travels to his home from America to take some photos for a company but finds a girl named Chiang Jo Ping (Joey Wang), falls in love with her, but actually it turns out that Jo Ping is a ghost.

The violent tale of an undercover agent's mission to topple a Chinese opium ring that is headed by a ruthless kingpin known only as "The Tongfather."

The lives of three young Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles.

Er Kan, a high school student who is in love with the most beautiful girl in the class, has to endure the continuous abuses from the bullies in school. However, when the girl of his dreams becomes the girlfriend of the leader of the bullies, things can only get worse from there.

Chong has been dedicating to run the Hotel Esquire for more than thirty years. Business is booming. However, a double room rented by a newly married couple is said to be haunted. Business thus declines sharply. Chong employs a private detective to look into the matter first, and then a taoist to play exorcism. But nothing has changed. One day, Chong and a tenant see a woman in weird dressing go into the room. They then plot to catch the backstage manipulator of this haunting event.

The plot follows a group of women who struggle in Hong Kong, most of them illegal immigrants from mainland China.

An online romance with a foreigner takes a lonely middle-aged chicken farmer to an unknown land. Despite everyone saying it is a romance scam, she wants to prove that her love indeed exists.

After there is a mishap at a mine that causing many to die or become injured, Master Chien decides to add insult to injury by not paying out any funds to the survivors of the victims to keep costs down. Many of the townspeople try to get Master Chien to change his mind, but Master Chien does not relent on his decision. The townspeople then ask the Iron Fist King, Chuang Yang, to pay Master Chien a visit and get him to change his mind. After the Iron Fist King shows up at Master Chien’s and defeats his top fighter, Chi Hung, Master Chien decides to comply with the townspeople’s wishes, but little does everybody know that Master Chien has a backup plan that will cause everybody to suffer the consequences and that includes his own self.

Taiwan horror with romantic elements.

Danny, a Taiwanese-American man, and his partner Tate want to have a baby, but the complex world of international surrogacy is further complicated by Danny's well-meaning but extremely meddlesome mother.

A successful architect, Yi Zhong, learned the bad news that he was suffering from bone cancer while receiving the good news of his wife's pregnancy. Facing a painful turning point in life, physical and psychological suffering, Yi Zhong made a wish to let his child see the most handsome figure of a positive cancer-fighting father. Yi Zhong confronts the disease with humor and head-on while sharing his life through video recordings. However, as the disease deteriorates rapidly, how will he face the people around him and the child he may never meet?

SU Ming-yi (played by CHENG Yu-xi) holds her first photography exhibition, reflecting on her youth and thinking of YAN Li-yao (played by SHIH Bo-yu). In high school, she was the class monitor, secretly admiring YAN Li-yao. Despite his frequent absences, they crossed paths often, with her feelings hidden. YAN Li-yao and CHENG Yan (played by LIN Zi-heng) were close but had contrasting personalities. After SU Ming-yi confessed, YAN Li-yao suggested a “trial” relationship. After graduation, they each buried their secrets. Years later, through an old roll of film and a photography exhibition, these long-hidden feelings are finally revealed, offering redemption for all involved.

Young Jojo suddenly comes into a stack of casino chips worth a million and decides to pay off her runaway father’s debt, asking the down-on-his-luck debt collector Hua to gamble on her behalf. In Macau’s chaotic casinos, they form an unlikely alliance, navigating wins, losses, and life’s challenges together. When the final bet arrives, fate cruelly tests them, stripping them of everything, yet revealing the true gift life has been offering. I Blew Out the Candle Before Making a Wish explores money, family, and responsibility, capturing the shadows and resilience of human nature.

Japan conquers China just before WW2 starts. Chinese women are captured and placed in concentration camps, where they are tortured and humiliated. Some try to escape incurring enormous risks, and death if they fail.

The Hotel Blackcat's owner, Mang, never leaves the counter. Guests include the immigrant worker, whore, losing-job Japanese, sex-abused man, little Lolita.... The police forces the Hotel to shut down and all guests must leave. What should they do? It's not necessary to lock each room anymore. Keep the door open, you'll find out traces imprinted with figures as well as times.

In Taiwan, as the 2019 Hong Kong protests erupt across the strait, Zhong-Han, a young silent thug, leads a life divided between his work in a family restaurant and parties in the dark Taipei underworld. But when a questionable businessman wants to buy the restaurant, Zhong-Han is drawn into a whirlwind of events that confronts him with the corrupt power games of his country.

Five men venture into a hidden cave to find a treasure map. After they have encountered the dangers of the cave (body melting acid, a flying mini-dragon, living skeletons...), the two last survivors finally find the treasure map inside a golden Buddha. One of them falls into a pit and the other gets caught by ninjas as he tries to escape with the map while the cave explodes. After escaping from the ninjas, he meets a princess to learn the imperial sword technique in order to defeat the devil!

A young martial arts kid travels by accident from another dimension to our world in search of a magical swordsman.

The Ji Ho Ninja clan vow to destroy the monks of Shaolin temple. To do so they must first perfect many of their techniques in order to ensure the battle will be won. The temple finds protection from monks who set out to save it.

An indigenous clan-based people living in harmony with nature find their way of life threatened when violent interlopers from another culture arrive, intent on seizing their natural resources and enslaving them.

A-Tai (Alan Ko) narrates that he is the son of Uncle Da (Chen Po-cheng) and Aunt Da (Samantha Ko), who run a troupe in Taichung. Uncle Da's troupe does traditional performance in front of religious processions. The religion requires performers to "initiate the faces and pose as gods"—to put on a special face painting, or to put on a heavy body puppet costume, both of these represent gods' persona. The performance demands training of martial art, acrobatics and endurance, and the performers are negatively associated with gangsters by the society. Uncle Da has been competing with Wu-cheng (Liao Jun), who studied with Uncle Da under the same master. A-Tai grew estranged with his father and the troupe, and went to Taipei to study Rock music, until a mysterious old man in blue coat bids him home.