A paper craftsman with a severe stutter who builds elaborate paper houses for the dead—homes that the living often cannot afford. Thematic Deep Dive
A struggling filmmaker who unexpectedly becomes a puppet candidate for a corrupt congressman. He serves as a semi-autobiographical avatar for the director.
(2020) is a Taiwanese dark comedy-drama that serves as a spiritual successor to director Huang Hsin-yao’s acclaimed debut, The Great Buddha+ . The title itself reflects a central theme: while his previous film was a "Plus," this follow-up examines the subtractions and deficits of life as four high school friends navigate the disappointments of middle age. Core Narrative and Characters Classmates Minus YIFY
A diligent insurance salesman who is constantly passed over for promotions while worrying about his future marriage and unborn child.
Reviewers from sites like The Asian Cinema Critic and Decider highlight several layers of "deep content": A paper craftsman with a severe stutter who
Through the characters' jobs, the film critiques Taiwanese political corruption, class disparities, and the "mundane struggles of ordinary people".
The film uses absurdist humor to mask deep-seated sadness and despair. It explores the "muck of midlife," where characters realize that the quest for meaning might be a "cruel trick played by existence". (2020) is a Taiwanese dark comedy-drama that serves
The film follows four men in their 40s who frequently gather at a tea shop to play cards and smoke, their lives mostly defined by "unfulfilled dreams and middle-age ennui":