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Yi Yi
一一
2000 174 min Taiwan, Japan 16+
★7.9
Drama
Director: Edward Yang
Trailers
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Description
A Taipei family faces personal and moral uncertainty as everyday events test their relationships and sense of purpose.
US Gross:
$1.25M
Worldwide:
$1.53M
Starring
Nien-Jen Wu
Actor
Elaine Jin
Actor
Issei Ogata
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2000
— Best Director
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— NETPAC Award
César Awards 2001
— Best International Feature Film
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2000
— NETPAC Award
European Film Awards 2000
— Screen International Award
Key opinion
Edward Yang's final film is widely regarded as a masterful, contemplative portrait of middle-class family life that uses an ensemble cast to explore universal existential themes. While praised for its precise direction and emotional depth, it remains a niche experience that divides audiences between those who find its deliberate pace meditative and those who find it overly long and inaccessible.
| Theme | The film acts as a profound meditation on life, weaving birth, death, and daily struggle into a cohesive, bittersweet exploration of existence. | |
| Direction | Edward Yang's direction is universally recognized for its precision, using static, observant shots and long takes to capture the nuances of family dynamics. | |
| Screenplay | The ensemble narrative succeeds in moving away from a single-hero perspective, offering a layered, realistic depiction of an extended family. | |
| Pacing | The three-hour runtime and deliberate, observational pacing serve as a rewarding experience for those seeking a contemplative mood, but can feel exhausting or "dragging" to viewers accustomed to traditional narrative speed. | |
| Culture | The film's cultural resonance is polarizing; while some view it as a universal reflection of human experience, others perceive the characters' struggles as self-absorbed or disconnected from their own social realities. |