Yen and Ai-Lee

After serving eight years in prison, parolee Yen attempts to restart her life with her shopkeeper mother, Ai-Lee, in her rural Hakkanese home town. Reconciliation is hard as resentments simmer and they are reminded of their painful past by the presence of Yen’s half-brother. Meanwhile, in Kaohsiung city, an enigmatic young woman named Allie, the spitting image of Yen, is taking acting classes at community college. She catches the attention of fellow students and a teacher who can see promise in her performances. What will happen when their worlds meet?

Tom LIN Shu-yu’s family drama gracefully leverages its dual-narrative to explore filial piety, inherited trauma, and self-sacrifice. Beautiful black-and-white visuals highlight electrifying performances by Kimi HSIA, in the dual roles of Yen and Allie, and YANG Kuei-mei, who took Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Horse Awards 2024 for her portrayal of Ai-Lee.