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Taiwanese Historical Film 'Dream Serpent' Begins Production

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Director Lou Yi-an's new film "Dream Serpent" began filming on June 21, spanning three eras from 1950 to 2023.
  • The movie explores intertwined destinies and human choices within grand historical currents, with actors undergoing intensive preparation, including Taiwanese Hokkien lessons.
  • Actors expressed honor and challenge in portraying characters shaped by historical events, aiming to show audiences a new side of themselves and understand the past.

Director Lou Yi-an's fourth feature film, "Dream Serpent," commenced principal photography on June 21 in Taipei. The production, two years in the making, weaves a multi-linear narrative across three distinct periods: 1950, 1989, and 2023. It aims to depict how the lives of ordinary people intersect and influence each other amidst the grand sweep of history, prompting reflection on the choices that shape individuals.

"Dream Serpent" is a story that has been brewing for a long time. I look forward to realizing it with the team. I hope to lead the audience into history through images and narrative, and also to consider how we became who we are today.

— Lou Yi-anDirector Lou Yi-an on the significance and ambition of his new film.

Lou expressed his anticipation for bringing the long-gestating story to life, stating, "'Dream Serpent' is a story that has been brewing for a long time. I look forward to realizing it with the team. I hope to lead the audience into history through images and narrative, and also to consider how we became who we are today."

This story's background is very vast. Not only did I do a lot of homework, but because I challenged the part of the play-within-a-play in the film, I specially took Taiwanese Hokkien classes, hoping to show everyone a different self in the new work.

— Lin Yi-tingActress Lin Yi-ting on her preparation and the challenges of her role.

The cast includes Lin Yi-ting, nominated for Best Actress at the Taipei Film Awards, and Lai Hao-che, who gained attention for his role in "The Ten-Year-Old Thief." Zhang Feng-hao, who appeared in "The Suicide Notice," also takes a lead role. Actors underwent rigorous preparation, with Lin Yi-ting taking Taiwanese Hokkien classes for her role as a drama student involved in a play-within-a-play. Lai Hao-che prepared by tanning himself and learning to ride a motorcycle to embody a park ranger.

I specially went to get tanned and learned to ride a motorcycle to make myself more like someone living in the mountains. I hope this performance can be a breakthrough.

— Lai Hao-cheActor Lai Hao-che on his preparation for his role as a park ranger.

Zhang Feng-hao reflected on the historical context, noting, "Events I saw in history textbooks before seemed like mere outcomes or titles. Only after delving deeper did I realize that history is composed of everything endured by people striving to live. Those emotions are condensed into a character in the film, which is very challenging for character work." He added that learning about events from the 1980s and 1990s has been rewarding. The film is slated for completion in 2027.

Events I saw in history textbooks before seemed like mere outcomes or titles. Only after delving deeper did I realize that history is composed of everything endured by people striving to live. Those emotions are condensed into a character in the film, which is very challenging for character work.

— Zhang Feng-haoActor Zhang Feng-hao on his understanding of historical events and character portrayal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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