A City of Sadness (1989) poster5

Taiwan10 Essential Films from TaiwanStop 5 of 10

A City of Sadness

悲情城市

1989

Spanning the turbulent years after Japan's departure from Taiwan, this drama follows one family torn apart by the political repression of the White Terror. Hou Hsiao-Hsien's stately, sorrowful landmark of Taiwanese cinema.

Why it’s here

A Taiwanese historical drama about the February 28 Incident and postwar identity.

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Part of 10 Essential Films from Taiwan

This film is stop 5 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Taiwan. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

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