Before the Bright Day
| Before the Bright Day | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tsao Shih-han |
| Written by | Tsao Shih-han |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Summer Lei |
Production company | Kaohsiung Film Fund |
Release date |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Language | Mandarin |
Before the Bright Day (Chinese: 南方時光; Tongyong Pinyin: Nánfāng Shíguāng; Tâi-lô: Lâm-hong sî-kong) is a 2025 Taiwanese drama film directed by Tsao Shih-han. Set in southern Taiwan during the 1990s, the film depicts the experiences of an adolescent boy growing up amid social change, family tensions, and the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
The film premiered as the closing film at the 2025 Kaohsiung Film Festival and was subsequently released theatrically in Taiwan on 14 November 2025.[1]
Plot
[edit]The story is set in 1996, during a period marked by rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's first direct presidential election. Missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China in waters near Kaohsiung and Keelung create widespread unease.
The protagonist, a junior high school student living in Zuoying District, navigates adolescence alongside his friends, engaging in school conflicts, fights, and early romantic relationships. Although largely indifferent to political developments, the changing social and political climate gradually influences his life. His father, a military officer, is recalled to duty, while economic uncertainties affect daily life in the community. Through a combination of personal and social events, the film portrays the uncertainties of youth and the subtle ways in which broader historical developments shape individual experiences.[2]
Cast
[edit]- Chen Hsuan-li as Hsueh Po-chou
- Wu Kang-ren as Hsueh Yung-ming[3]
- Sun Shu-may as Mei-chuan
- Huang Di-yang as Chen[4]
- Cheng Yu-chieh
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]The film was developed with support from the Kaohsiung City Government's "Kaohsiung Film Fund" initiative, which has supported numerous film productions since 2011. The screenplay was created through a residency program and later selected for funding and production support.
Initial development began in 2019, but production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, leading to funding withdrawals and revisions to the script. Earlier versions of the project included more commercial elements, but the final version shifted toward a more personal narrative focused on adolescence and identity.[5]
Concept
[edit]The English title underwent several revisions, from "Beautiful Days in the South" to "Bright Days in the South", before settling on "Before the Bright Day". The final title reflects a transitional period in Taiwan's history prior to perceived social and political progress.[6]
Director Tsao Shih-han described the film as a partially autobiographical work, with approximately 80% of the narrative inspired by his own experiences.[7] The film explores themes of authority, family dynamics, and institutional pressure, particularly within the context of Taiwan's education system and social expectations during the 1990s.[8]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography began in 2024 and took place entirely in Kaohsiung, including locations such as Zuoying, Chengcing Lake, Old City of Zuoying, and Guomao Community.[9] The production team made efforts to recreate the atmosphere of 1996 Taiwan through set design, costumes, and props. Period-appropriate materials were sourced or rented, including political campaign flags and household items. Costumes were influenced by 1990s fashion trends, including Japanese popular culture.[10]
Awards
[edit]The film was selected for screening at the 2025 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it was the only Taiwanese film included in its section that year.[11][12]
At the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, the film received three nominations, including:[13]
- Best Director (Tsao Shih-han)
- Best Art Direction
- Best Costume Design
In February 2026, the film won the Jury Prize at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema.[14]
Controversy
[edit]The film was initially selected for the Marrakech International Film Festival but was later withdrawn prior to screening. Organizers cited issues related to visa and screening permissions. According to the director, the festival indicated that the decision involved unspecified sensitive factors, though no detailed explanation was provided.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (September 19, 2025). "San Sebastian Title 'Before the Bright Day' Boarded by Maboroshi for Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (magazine). Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ^ Kotzathanasis, Panos (January 31, 2026). "Before the Bright Day (2025) by Tsao Shih-han Film Review". asianmoviepulse.com. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ^ "品觀點｜吳慷仁返鄉拍戲 曹仕翰首部電影《南方時光》高雄開拍" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). China Times. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ 陳穎 (18 November 2025). "黃迪揚驚爆投資失利！提珍貴古董求助吳慷仁 親吐：根本沒有閒錢". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ 項貽斐. "請回答一九九六2／曹仕翰曾是缺席的兒子" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Mirror Media. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 黃曦 (2025-11-12). "該是春天為我們開門的時候──專訪《南方時光》曹仕翰". filmaholic.tw (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 魯皓平 (2025-11-11). "從放牛班學生到入圍金馬獎最佳導演！曹仕翰《南方時光》拍出年少最深刻的迷惘與茫然" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Global Views Monthly. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ^ 朱哲輝Alan. "【影評】《南方時光》威脅未曾消失，創作者夢中的長鏡頭" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). United Daily News. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 林巧璉 (2024-03-15). "曹仕翰高雄拍電影「南方時光」 吳慷仁返鄉演出" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Central News Agency (Taiwan). Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 項貽斐. "請回答一九九六1／《南方時光》重回飛彈危機年代 聚焦成長金馬3項入圍" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Mirror Media. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 項貽斐 (2025-08-06). "聚焦台海危機時期 《南方時光》入圍西班牙聖賽巴斯提安影展" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Mirror Media. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
- ^ "Nan fang shi guang / Before the Bright Day". sansebastianfestival.com. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ^ 熊景玉. "金馬62／高雄製造夯上國際！《南方時光》金馬入圍三項 劇組回鄉感動開唱" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Mirror Media. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (4 February 2026). "Sri Lanka's 'Riverstone' Wins Top Prize at Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinema". Variety. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ 蔣龍祥 (2025-11-26). "《南方時光》入圍摩洛哥影展 突被因「敏感因素」取消 ｜ 公視新聞網 PNN" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Public Television Service. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ 曾依璇 (2025-11-25). "「南方時光」入圍馬拉喀什影展 開幕前無故遭除名【獨家】" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Central News Agency (Taiwan). Retrieved 2026-03-24.