18 is a 1993 Taiwanese experimental film directed by Ho Ping, written by Ho Ping and Kuo Cheng, based on Kuo Cheng's 1991 short story "God's Dice" (上帝的骰子).

18
Official poster
Directed byHo Ping
Written by
Based on"God's Dice"
by Kuo Cheng
Produced by
  • Li Shu-ping
  • Lu Mu-tsun
Starring
CinematographyHo Ping
Edited by
  • Chen Po-wen
  • Chou Hsu-wei
Music byJim Shum
Production
companies
  • Creative Communication
  • Taiwan Film Culture
Release date
Running time
104 minutes
CountryTaiwan
Languages

The title refers to a popular Taiwanese gambling game played with 4 dice in a rice bowl, with the highest combination (called "18") containing 2 sixes and 2 of any identical number not six (i.e. 1166, 2266, 3366, 4466, and 5566).

Cast

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  • Wu Hsing-kuo as "Weirdo", probably a second-generation immigrant from mainland China who is a little confused about his identity.
  • Lin Chi-lou as Weirdo's wife.
  • Lin Chia-chen as Weirdo's young daughter who is too mature for her age.
  • Lu Hsiao-fen as Mingzhu, a convenience store owner.
  • Lu Hsiao-fen as Ah Kiu, a hotel owner.
  • Tou Chung-hua as Ah Hai.
  • Chen Hui-lou as Ah Kiu's old husband who came from mainland China around 1949.
  • Sze Yu as Wu Sheng, an illegal immigrant from mainland China.

Awards and nominations

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Award Category Individual Result
30th Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actress Lu Hsiao-Fen Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Kuo Cheng, Ho Ping Nominated
Best Cinematography Ho Ping Nominated
Best Makeup & Costume Design Fu Chang-feng, Roger Cheng Nominated
Best Sound Effects Jim Shum Nominated

The film won International Federation of Film Critics Prize during the 1993 Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Thessaloniki, Greece.

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