Cabbie, The (Yun Zhuai Shou Zhi Lian)

(Taiwan, 2000, 35mm, 90 min.)

Director: Chang Hwa-Kun, Chen Yiwen
Cast: Tai Bao, Duan Chun-Hao, Chu Chun-Heng, Leo Dai, Miyazawa Rie
Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Tai Bao), Taiwan Golden Horse Awards 2000, Jury Award, Taiwan Golden Horse Awards 2000

The Cabbie is the ultimate shaggy-dog story; the life and love of one man interspersed with so many flashbacks, vignettes, digressions and interruptions that the entire film feels like an all-of-human-life-is-here melting pot from the moment the lights go down. Add Chen Yiwen's (Jam , A Chance to Die ) trademark affection for his characters and a widely funny script by Su Zhao-Bin and you get a sublime feel-good movie. Daquan Su has grown up around taxis and cabbies. His father is a taxi-driver and now he is too, experiencing Taipei life through his cab. Then one day, out of the blue, he falls in love with a policewoman. From that point on traffic violations, tickets, a revoked license mean nothing to him, because he wants to win the girl's heart.

Director's Note

"When making this film we hoped to relate a relaxed, easy-going story.. we wanted to tell the story as if we were chatting with good friends or telling a joke. We'd like to present a film which exhibits a kind-hearted, and cheerful attitude toward life."
- Chang Hwa-Kun and Chen Yiwen