In this coming-of-age story inspired by Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s own upbringing, protagonist Ah-ha grows up in Fongshan, Kaohsiung—the childhood home of both Hou and cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-Bing—after his military father moves the family from the mainland to Taiwan. Death and grief have permeated the protagonist’s young life, but there are also moments of tenderness and love. While this sounds like every coming-of-age film, it is anything but. Hou’s distinctive cinematic language begins to take shape in this first of many collaborations with Lee, whose ability to compose long takes and make use of natural light would become defining characteristics of their work. This film also marks the first onscreen appearance of Hsin Shu-fen, who would become a regular in Hou’s 1980s films.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien (b. 1947, Guangdong) moved to Taiwan with his family soon after he was born. After completing his military service, he studied filmmaking at university. In 1973, Hou entered the film industry, serving as assistant director and in other positions. He made his directorial debut with Cute Girl (also known as Lovable You) in 1980. Hou’s string of critical successes, including The Boys from Fengkuei (1983), The Time to Live and the Time to Die, and Dust in the Wind (1986), made him one of the most notable names in Taiwan New Cinema. The award-winning A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) cemented his status as a leading figure in world cinema. Hou’s most recent film, The Assassin (2015), garnered awards at film festivals such as Cannes and the Golden Horse Awards.