Golden Horse Awards winner Old Fox depicts Taiwan after the end of martial law, a time of rapid change. Director Hsiao Ya-chuan hopes its message resonates today as it did in the era in which it is set.
Giant nightmare-eating tapirs and other magical elements save this otherwise melancholy and sentimental drama about a little boy dealing with the loss of his father, stopping it from propelling viewers into depression and heartbreak.
The rather conventional premise of Hello! Tapir (嗨!神獸) is designed to bring tears to the viewers’ eyes, but the layers of fantasy and earnest, hilarious acting from the kids keep it fresh and wondrous despite the tragic situation. It’s a fitting treatment that feels natural, though, and not just a superficial coating to cash in on the Malayan tapir’s popularity in Taiwan. The special effects
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