Taipei Story

I went into this film with zero expectations, having only watched a few other films by one other Taiwanese director, Ang Lee. I knew immediately from the first couple of scenes Edward Yang has earned his accolades for good reason. To really understand on a palpable level the nuances and motifs conveyed in this movie, it helps tremendously to have lived in Taipei, but I don't think that necessarily bars this film from being heralded as a classic. The themes presented in this film -- fall from grace, double binds, haunting pasts, gentrification and generational alienation -- are still universal, but poignantly unique and impactful when regarded through a Taiwanese perspective. Furthermore, much of what is portrayed in this film is still relevant today. Taipei Story is undoubtedly a classic of Asian cinema that deserves more attention especially now.