One of my favourite films of 2009, the Taiwanese production Prince of Tears (淚王子) depicts the human toll of the "White Terror" period in Taiwan, especially during the 1950's.
It is estimated that the Nationalist (Guomindang or KMT) dictatorship killed, tortured and/or arrested up to 140,000 citizens on mostly bogus charges of espionage and Communist 'agitprop' and infiltration. A KMT McCarthyism taken to extremes, if you will, as the linchpin of a repressive, corrupt and quasi-fascistic regime. Let's not forget that martial law on Taiwan was lifted only in 1987.
The film has a very poignant narrative, based on true events, with great cinematography, excellent acting and spoken in beautiful Mandarin.
A candidate for a top place in the art house genre (there have been too many movies resting solely on CGI this year!), it was included in the official selection of the 66th Venice Film Festival (2009).
Here's the trailer:
Below is a brief description:
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