Stories from the past hide in the future. Or maybe the future actually lies within the past. Taiwanese director Hsiao Ya-chuan sketches a circle of evolution and development, with Van Pao-te as the central character.
On his 60th birthday, Van is told that he is seriously ill. But instead of going to Taipei for treatment, his illness leads him to Japan. Together with his son, he goes in search of the father who abandoned him 50 years ago. At the same time, a young man with a mysterious connection to Van’s past is travelling from Hong Kong to Taiwan.
Filmmaker Hsiao started out as directing assistant to Hou Hsiao-hsien, who in turn was executive producer on all three of Hsiao’s films to date. Hou’s influence is palpable once again in the calm and well-thought-out style of Father to Son. Like his mentor, Hsiao interweaves his family story with subtle elements of Taiwanese history.
Nominated for the VPRO Big Screen Award.
Film details
- Country of production
- Taiwan
- Year
- 2018
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2018
- Length
- 115'
- Medium/Format
- DCP
