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Director’s Profile

Chienn Hsiang, the cinematic eye of many Taiwanese films, has worked as cinematographer with famous directors on such films as 20 30 40 (Sylvia Chang, 2004) and Blue Gate Crossing (Yee Chin-Yen, 2002); films which exposed the public to his eloquent artistry. His first feature as director, Exit (2014), retained the poetic flow of his cinematographic style, and was selected at Locarno Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and BFI London Film Festival in 2014, and won the Grand Jury Prize at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema 2015.

Synopsis

It begins with an afternoon phone call. Mrs. Yan receives news that her husband’s mistress from many years ago is suffering from dementia and has been placed into a care home. The caller, the mistress’s sister, explains that the only person the mistress has left is Mrs. Yan’s husband. For old time’s sake, please could he visit her at the care home?
Mrs. Yan hangs up. On the second day, Mrs. Yan heads to the care home alone.
The mistress is suffering severely from her symptoms and cannot live on her own. Complex emotions hit Mrs. Yan. It feels like she has finally won a victory in her life. She decides to bring her husband to visit this enemy from their past.
The Visit.
The process is wordless, but abundant with emotion. Mrs. Yan receives no peace or comfort from her revenge. Instead, a sensation of desolation overcomes her. Her woman’s instincts tell her that something is wrong. Her good-for-nothing husband is planning something. One day, after the visit, Mr. Yan goes missing. Without hesitation, Mrs. Yan heads to the care home, and is unsurprised to find her husband there with his former mistress. Faced with this unexpected confrontation, Mr. Yan suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. Fearing that her husband may lose his life, Mrs. Yan is torn between hatred and affection.
Mrs. Yan’s faithful dog has contracted an STD and Mrs. Yan decides that he must be neutered, but it results in the death of her loyal companion of many years. Her husband has collapsed, and her dog is dead. In that moment, Mrs. Yan realizes that she may be the reason for all of this. Many years of practicing Buddhism have taught her that she needs to learn how to let go. Mrs. Yan decides to visit the mistress again, to resolve the hatred that she carries within her. That’s when she learns that truly letting go of hate is never an easy task.

Achievements

2021 Busan International Film Festival
2021 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival
2021 Taipei Golden Hores Film Festival
2022 Taipei Film Festival - Best Actress
2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival
2022 Five Flavours Asian Film Festival

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