Fivewood

A frustrated Hong Kong writer, Tian-Yu, meets a Taipei street gangster, Xiang, and the two of them embark on a journey to find the Bay of Whales, a place that leads to paradise.

Loyal to his gangster boss, Pua risks everything for money—and for Mi-ji, the ex-prisoner he secretly loves. But freedom brings distance, not desire.

The relationship between the gambler A-hai and his wife Jia-yun is tumultuous. Jia-yun runs a stall in the market and often meets Mei and other housewives at a nearby shrine, where they make desserts and discuss Taoism’s promise of eternal life for women. However, Jia-yun cannot stay away for too long, fearing A-hai’s anger. One day, A-hai accidentally beats Jia-yun to death. To A-hai’s surprise, Jia-yun comes back to life soon after and resumes her daily routine. However, her body begins to decay rapidly, causing A-hai to spiral into a state of panic.

Afei, a young factory worker, is 40 weeks pregnant out of wedlock. Her boss threatened to fire her if she didn’t return to work immediately after giving birth. She thought hiring an unlicensed babysitter would keep her job, but he took the money and disappeared, leaving her with no choice but to ask her ex-boyfriend, the baby’s father, for help, despite her hatred for him. Unbeknownst to her, this request led to a child abuse case.

In the late 1990s, young Yixuan grows up as a “latchkey kid” in Wanhua, Taipei. With his father busy driving a taxi, Yixuan spends lonely afternoons wandering local diners and Youth Park. In the park, he meets Liu Bin, a lonely chess master. Yixuan finds guidance and warmth in his new teacher, who challenges him to daily matches with a small wager. This bond bridges generations, revealing how love can emerge in unexpected places and how life, much like chess, unfolds in unpredictable ways.