Here, in another nuanced critique of middle-class life and values, Yang directs from a script by Chu and Hou that focuses on the relationship between childhood sweethearts Chin and Lung. Notably, the character of Lung, a man haunted by the past, is played with some skill by Hou Hsiao-hsien.

Another important figure of the New Taiwan Cinema, writer Wu Nien-jen, also appears as Ch'en a taxi driver and friend of Lung.

This screening will be introduced by Dr. Maria O’Brien, lecturer on the MA in Arts Management in the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s University, Belfast and co-organiser of the Arts Council of Ireland funded East Asia Film Festival Ireland.

Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at Cineteca di Bologna/L’immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with the Cinémathèque Royale de Belgique and Hou Hsiao-hsien.

Screening as part of The Early Films of Hou Hsiao-hsien, curated by HOME, Manchester, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan).