The message of Old Fox, movie about social change in Taiwan after martial law, according to director Hsiao Ya-chuan
- Set in Taiwan after the end of martial law, Old Fox tells the story of a boy living in poverty with his waiter father and their hopes of improving their lot
- Director Hsiao Ya-chuan says he drew on his own family’s debate about whether to put themselves or others first, a theme he hopes will resonate widely today
Let’s set the scene: the year is 1987, and the president of Taiwan, Chiang Ching-kuo, has just lifted the martial law after 38 years.
As Taiwan begins its path to democracy, it also enters a period of rapid economic development and immense uncertainty, with clashes between the different classes in society and a growing wealth gap becoming more evident.
This era serves as the backdrop for Old Fox, the latest film from Taiwanese director Hsiao Ya-chuan and the winner of four prizes at the 60th Golden Horse Awards in 2023, including best director.
The film tells the story of an 11-year-old boy, Liao Jie (Bai Run-yin), and his 38-year-old widowed father, Liao Tai-lai (Liu Kuan-ting), who works as a waiter and lives in poverty.
Together they dream of buying their own place to live, but just as their wish seems within reach, house prices go up.
Their landlord, Xie (Akio Chen) – nicknamed “Old Fox” for his ruthlessness and cunning – sees in Liao Jie’s frustration and desperation something of his past self, and takes a liking to the boy.
