The Teacher
(Wo De Ling Hun Shi Ai Zuo De)

In a context of progressive openness where Taiwanese society has definitively imposed itself as the El Dorado for the LGBT community in Asia after the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2019, Chen Ming Lang has authored a daring and deliberately quirky second feature film. Relegating frontal activism to a scene shot during a Gay Pride march, he develops a modern and restrained melodrama that intertwines two intrigues: a tragic love story impeded by HIV and the resistances of a society still wary of difference. The dramatic build-up is borne by a flawless cast and supporting characters beautifully played, like Kevin’s mother. GM

Participation in the 2016 Taipei Produire au Sud Workshop