A City of Sadness official poster

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A City of SadnessA movie brief.

1989 / Historical drama / Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien

A poignant tale of family, love, and survival in turbulent times.

What is A City of Sadness about?

The film tells the story of the Lin family amid the political turmoil surrounding the February 28 Incident of 1947 and the emergence of the political repression that later became known as Taiwan's 'White Terror'. The story revolves around the Lin family's struggles and the blossoming romance between a deaf-mute son and a nurse.

By Brefly · AI-assisted

Five things to know.

  1. Setup

    The film is set in 1947, as Japan surrenders and Taiwan is handed over to the Republic of China.

  2. World

    The movie explores the cultural and social changes in Taiwan during the transition from Japanese colonial rule to Kuomintang governance.

  3. Pressure

    The Lin family faces immense pressure as they navigate the complexities of the February 28 Incident and the subsequent White Terror.

  4. Craft

    Hou Hsiao-hsien's cinematic style, characterized by long takes and a focus on the geometric organization of space, adds depth and nuance to the narrative.

  5. Viewing note

    The film's non-linear narrative and use of multiple languages, including Taiwanese Hokkien, Mandarin, Japanese, Cantonese, and Shanghainese, may require attention and patience from viewers.

Brefly’s take / Interpretation

A thought to take with you.

The Lin family experiences Taiwan's political transition through ordinary decisions that become dangerous under changing authorities. By keeping the story within one household, the film connects national history to the limits people face in speaking and protecting one another.

Is it your kind of movie?

Choose it for a Taiwanese historical family drama about the years around the 1947 February 28 Incident. It is slow, politically complex, and subtitled.

Sources & scope

This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.

Source details checked October 10, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach