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Sun 22 Jun - Fri 4 Jul 2025
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A haunting tale of alienation and desire from master auteur Tsai Ming-liang 蔡明亮 — where bodies ache and silence speaks volumes.
Hsiao-Kang develops mysterious neck pain after acting in a film shoot set in a polluted river. As his family deteriorates into emotional paralysis, he seeks relief in unexpected places, including Taipei’s hidden gay saunas. Tsai Ming-liang 蔡明亮 crafts a portrait of urban disconnection, where every gesture feels weighted with longing.
Part of Tsai’s signature trilogy with Rebels of the Neon God and Vive L’Amour, The River won the Jury Prize at the 1997 Berlin International Film Festival. It’s a cornerstone of Taiwanese slow cinema, meditating on repression, intimacy and the body in crisis – both physically and emotionally.
Curated by the Chinese Independent Film Foundation.
Focus on Queer 中文 Cinema (Thu 19 Jun – Mon 7 Jul 2025)
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Full $48, Concession $42, Member $39
6-Session Passes
Full $90, Concession $78, Member $72
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