Films & Events
Miao Miao
First-time feature director Cheng Hsiao-tse hits the jackpot with this bright high school romance that is a refreshing antidote to Hollywood’s navel-gazing dramas of friendship and sexual identity. Teenaged Miao-Miao arrives in Taiwan as a transfer student from Japan and finds herself a quiet presence in class until Xiao-Ai befriends her and unleashes a fast friendship around the school grounds. It is not long before Miao-Miao is struck with her first love for a sullen CD store owner, Chen Fei, who keeps the world at arm’s length with his headphones. While aiding Miao-Miao in getting the boy’s attention, Xiao-Ai finds herself pulling closer to the realization that she is falling romantically for her best friend. As the tension between the trio mounts, Chen Fei slowly unravels his past and his own romantic feelings, which have shut out people of his world since a horrible tragedy. Miao Miao explores an emotional terrain seldom explored in pop art, bringing to the table tremendous lead performances from the young stars and stylish visions of urban Taipei, courtesy of key personnel from Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films. Blessed with a youthful spirit and sensitivity to the maturing of its central characters, Miao Miao is a sure-fire crowd pleaser for the teen within us all. Recommended for ages 13+.
Sponsors:
Adobe Youth Voices, Longhouse Media, Renton and the Renton FilmFrenzy, The Boeing Company, The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, San Francisco
Cast & Crew
Director: Hsiao-Tse Cheng
Producer: Stanley Kwan, Yee-Wah Pang
Editor: Suk-Ping Chang
Screenwriter: Yi-Fen Tsai, Hsiao-Tse Cheng
Cinematographer: Pun-Leung Kwan
Music: Cin-Cin Lee
Principal Cast: Chia-Yen Ko, Sandrine Pinna, Chih-Wei Fan
Filmography: Debut Feature Film
World Sales: Fortissimo Films
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user reviews
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Exceeded my expectations, Jun 04, 2009
By Mimi Noyes
“I had high hopes but fairly low expectations for this film and it proved to be a surprise on multiple levels. First off I just have to say ... KAWAAAAAAAIIIIIIII! Which is very ecstatic Japanese for CUTE!!!! This film is adorable and sweet. Super-cute with a cape on. That said, it was also”
… full review
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One of my festival favs - life in a film, Jun 13, 2009
By Ronald Woan
“I thought this movie was just awesome exploring love from many angles. The characters experience what for many of us takes years of relationships in just one school year. Sure it is cute, but I think there is something deeper which is a unique combination in cinema.”
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