Islander

Through the stories of nine kids living in the Chinese Shopping Mall, this film depicts their diverse and magical life experiences. In the summer of 1985, while Xiaobudian (the tiny one) was at the fourth grade, he was already a convincing street vendor, who sold stuff for allowance on a skywalk every day. Xiaobudian’s father is a shoe shop owner who was doing business in the Chinese Shopping Mall. One day, a magician from nowhere showed up in the mall. He had a treasure bowl and a zebra capable of emitting colorful lights, and he was able to make countless magic tricks. Xiaobudian admired this magician, and bought magic props for practice every day. At the same time, more and more boys and girls in the mall have met this mysterious magician, and gained life-changing power after they watched the magic show.

Post-election tensions rise as the acting president provokes China, leading to PLA drills and looming invasion. As Zero Day nears, the president must choose war, and the island faces a critical choice for its future.

During Lunar New Year, a family gathers to eat; but nobody is eating. Grandma looks towards the empty chair, nobody dares to start the meal. The room stays silent as the hot pot bubbles. Everyone gets hungrier and hungrier. The Son has had enough, and breaks the silence. He tells the story of the Argali Goat.

During his weekend leave from the military, Hai goes home to help out at the family deer farm. The humid air, the smell of grass and blood mix with his memories. The deer once cured Hai's childhood illness is sent away. How will Hai deal with the past and the future?

Wang Yu Ching and Jung Hsuan are two young girls who are exploring what it means to face their desires amidst the backdrop of school. Their hopes and dreams are woven into a playful and fantastical narrative as they learn what it means to grow up.

Zhe stole money from Wei, and pinned it on borderline man in class, Kang. They deceive the others and struggled in bullying on campus. At night, Zhe comes across a woman seriously wounded by an accident. Still, he chooses to flee on the spot. Will he confess his mistake, or getaway with the consequences of his wrongdoing?

A red flag was plug in the ground and fluttered in the wind. The political prisoner sent his father and son back to the hometown for asylum, but threats are still ubiquitous. It's just like the strong wind of their hometown. "The red" has already penetrated every corner of the country.

Adan patrols Tamsui parking lots. A new white sedan gleams in the sun. She wonders who owns it, a stark contrast to the usual dreariness.

Every summer, Hsuan, Yei, and Chi jump into the pool together. Yei is always faster than Hsuan, but Hsuan doesn't care about winning or losing. All she wants is to stay with Chi, slowly, naturally, till they reach Taipei.

Southern Taiwan, a night-shift factory lies quiet like a ruin. Machines stilled, lights flickering, time caught in a moment—unmoving, unresolved. A-Bang, a Taiwanese guard on patrol, works among migrant workers.

Friday night, a basketball court, ice cream, cooties, two girls and a boy. What's the worst that could happen?

It’s supposed to be an energetic morning, but Zhe, a real estate agent, feels suffocated and oppressed. With nowhere to go, he heads to a house that he can’t sell and calls for an escort, unexpectedly opening up new possibilities for both of them.

After this summer vacation, I'm going to be fourth grade and my young brother will go to elementary school. In this summer vacation, people always telling us to be well prepared but never tell us what to do.

As Jun waits leisurely to enlist in the army, everything starts to go sloppy after two lines appear on his girlfriend’s pregnancy test. Jun, who lost his father as a child, is at a loss because of his sudden “fatherhood”. Meanwhile, his mother Jia-ling gives Jun a golden watch, a relic from his father. Looking at the oldfashioned watch, Jun wonders if he can become a reliable man.

Nosebleed, menstrual blood. Friendship, love, Lovership? Beautiful worries worrying youthfulness.