EUPHORIA, 19min., Taiwan
Directed by Hsiao-Tsun CHIU
As nightfall cast shadows on their secrets, the woman schemes under the shroud of darkness, returning to the house to share her clandestine plans with her partner in crime. Yet, an otherworldly aura permeates the air, revealing the lovers’ true selves and dropping cryptic hints about the mysterious male corpse. Step by step, they are lured into a dance with the supernatural, spiraling into a world of trance and bewilderment, where the line between reality and the ethereal blurs into an enigmatic tale of passion and peril.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
In modern relationships, the person suffering from violence is often unable to leave. As their relatives, friends, and family, we can only watch helplessly.

One of the most distressing reasons is that the victim firmly believes the toxic relationship is due to their own personality traits, feeling they must endure and even fix it themselves.

This heartbreaking story happened around me, and I felt compelled to share it with a wider audience, taking them on the victim’s journey to witness the hopeful sunrise on the east coast of Taiwan.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Nine months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Unbearable physical orgasm.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

What takes the most time is the editing.
During the process, I tried again and again with the editor and sound designer to find a way to break away from the linear narrative, so that the audience can have an engaging yet alienated viewing experience.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very nervous. It takes a lot of courage for an auteur to take feedbacks in front of audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
My father passed away suddenly and I didn’t have time to reconcile with him, so I closed the door and started writing my first script.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I like all the works directed by Joachim Trier and have watched them many times, especially “Oslo, August 31st.”

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I feel very satisfied so far, especially with the feedback from the audience.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It’s been very convenient.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Teppanyaki, the Japanese cuisine.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
My new film has been shot and is now in post-production. The story follows a stand-up comedian who, after the sudden death of his father in the morning, must perform on stage that same evening. It is based on my personal experience, and I am very excited about it.