The Photograph

An autobiographical film based on Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien's memories of his youth growing up in Taiwan after emigrating from mainland China.

Wang confronts his youth. Life is boring and seems to be endless. The only thing he can do is survive each day. On New Year's Eve, he briefly returns to his senses while watching fireworks burst. During these vanishing moments he most strongly feels his own existence.

A young photographer wanders through the city as Taiwan is preparing for the presidential election. Constantly questioning his talent as an artist, he suffers from the uncertainty facing his future as he is about to turn 30 - a watershed age in one's life according to traditional Taiwanese culture. His accidental encounter with an ex-girlfriend propels him to reconsider his past, present and future in the river of time.