The Coward

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.

A paid supporter and his grandson came from the south to visit his only son, a long-detained political prisoner. "My son, do not forget me." The prisoner' roar is the most reactionary appeal under the peaceful new political power.

In a stagnant mountain pool, A-Mao fishes for a hidden giant lizard, dragging others into a bloody, infectious madness. Paralyzed and numb, his broken husk crawls back to the murk. At his physical limit, can this eerie desire drive his will to transcend the flesh?

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.

Aya has lived a lonely life without an official identity because her mother is an illegal migrant worker. When Aya becomes ill, she meets two playmates in the hospital and discovers they are also Invisible Children, incapable of growing up ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.