Wikipedia

Daughter's Daughter

Daughter's Daughter (Chinese: 女兒的女兒) is a 2024 Taiwanese drama film directed and written by Huang Xi, marking her second feature after Missing Johnny (2017), and co-produced by Hou Hsiao-hsien and Sylvia Chang. Chang also stars in a lead role, alongside Karena Lam and Eugenie Liu, with the film following a recently retired mother (Chang) who loses her daughter (Liu) in an accident and has to make decisions about a frozen embryo her daughter left behind.

Daughter's Daughter
Theatrical poster
Traditional Chinese女兒的女兒
Hanyu PinyinNǚ'Ér De Nǚ'Ér
Directed byHuang Xi
Screenplay byHuang Xi
Produced byHou Hsiao-hsien
Sylvia Chang[1]
StarringSylvia Chang
Karena Lam
Eugenie Liu
CinematographyYao Hung-i
Edited byLiao Ching-sung
Music byKay Huang
Angu Liang
Mukio Chang
Production
company
Sun Lok Productions
Distributed byAndrews Film
Release date
Running time
126 minutes
CountryTaiwan
LanguageMandarin

The film had its world premiere in competition for the Platform Prize at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2024, where Sylvia Chang received an honorable mention, and is scheduled for theatrical release in Taiwan in 2025.

Premise

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A 60-year-old mother loses her daughter in a car accident while the daughter is undergoing embryo cryopreservation in the United States, prompting her to travel there to take possession of the embryo and confront another daughter she gave birth to and abandoned as a teenager.[2]

Cast

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  • Sylvia Chang as Jin "Ai" Aixia, a recently retired mother of two daughters[3][4]
  • Karena Lam as Emma, Ai's daughter whom she gave birth to and abandoned as a teenager[3]
  • Eugenie Liu as Fan Zuer, Ai's rebellious daughter she gave birth to in Taiwan years after Emma[3][5]

Also appearing in the film are Alannah Ong [zh] as Shen Yan-hua, Ai's friend and Emma's foster mother;[3] Winston Chao as Johnny, Ai's ex-boyfriend and Emma's biological father;[3] and Tracy Chou as Zhou Jiayi, Zuer's girlfriend.[3]

Production

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Development

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After producing the romance film Missing Johnny (2017), Huang Xi began developing her second feature film project,[6] with pre-production starting in 2018 and Hou Hsiao-hsien attached as a producer during the early stages.[7] Sylvia Chang, who had previously collaborated with Huang and Hou on the miniseries Twisted Strings [zh] (2022), joined the project five years prior to the start of filming.[6][8] Chang was approached by Hou and immediately agreed to take on the role of lead actress and co-producer after reading the script.[8] The screenplay took five years to develop,[9] a duration Chang attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she was also involved in fine-tuning the script.[10][11] During rewrites, Huang initially considered changing the film's setting to be entirely in Taiwan to reduce production costs, but Chang insisted on retaining the overseas scenes and filming in the United States.[12] Huang also sought advice from filmmakers Wang Shaudi and Arthur Chu [zh] on the story.[12] In August 2023, Alannah Ong [zh] announced that she would be joining the cast.[13] The project eventually won the Excellent Screenplay Award at the 45th Golden Harvest Awards [zh] in November 2023,[14] which led to the project being greenlit on the National Development Fund of Taiwan Creative Content Agency.[2][15] On 5 December, Karena Lam announced that she would be collaborating with Sylvia Chang on a Taiwanese film, which was scheduled to begin shooting at Christmas.[16][17] Huang was announced as the director in the same month, with Liao Ching-sung, Yao Hung-i, and Hwarng Wern-ying [zh] joining as editor, cinematographer, and production designer, respectively.[18]

Filming

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Principal photography of the film commenced on 14 December 2023, in Taipei, Taiwan, with Sylvia Chang and Karena Lam announced in lead roles, although Lam did not participate in the shoot in Taiwan.[18][19] Filming then moved to New York City, United States, in early 2024,[20] with location shooting took place at the New York City Subway.[21] The shoot was scheduled to wrapped prior to lunar new year,[18][19] and ultimately concluded within January.[7]

Post-production

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On 16 May 2024, the film was presented at the Golden Horse Goes to Cannes section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, a new program collaborated by the Golden Horse Awards and Marché du Film with the support of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture.[22][23] It was in post-production stage at the time of its showcase.[24] Taiwan's Andrews Film secured the international distribution rights against Hong Kong's Edko Films prior to the film's world premiere.[2]

Release

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Daughter's Daughter had its world premiere in the Platform Prize program at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2024,[25][26] where Sylvia Chang received a special award and was given an honorable mention from the jury for her performance,[27][28] marking the first time an individual has been awarded this distinction since the Platform Prize was introduced in 2015.[29] In the awards announcement statement, the jury described the film as "emotionally nuanced and masterfully assembled", and Chang's performance as "exceptional artistry" and an "extremely multilayered portrayal of a conflicted mother".[26] It was also screened in competition at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival,[30] and as the closing film of the 21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival [zh].[31]

The film is set to be released theatrically in Taiwan in 2025.[12]

Reception

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Josh Slater-Williams of IndieWire gave the film a B+ and described Daughter's Daughter as a deeply moving exploration of modern motherhood and complex themes of responsibility, highlighting Huang Xi's "patient storytelling" and Sylvia Chang and Eugenie Liu's "incredibly compelling" performances, which together navigate the blurred lines between selflessness and selfishness in the face of loss and regret.[3] Matthew Joseph Jenner of the International Cinephile Society gave the film 4/5 stars and acknowledged the film as "complex and harrowing, but poetically beautiful", which deftly explores the challenges of motherhood and intergenerational relationships through Sylvia Chang's powerful performance, which together create a poignant portrayal of a woman's journey through grief and healing without resorting to melodrama.[32]

Ulkar Alakbarova of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists praised the film for its profoundly moving exploration of motherhood, grief, and the complexities of legacy, emphasizing Sylvia Chang's character's struggle to navigate the responsibilities of being a guardian to her deceased daughter's embryo while reflecting on the themes of love and sacrifice.[33] Drew Burnett Gregory of queer magazine Autostraddle, however, offered a rather negative review, criticizing the film for using tropes about queer death without appropriate exploration. While it features strong performances from Sylvia Chang and Karena Lam, its overlong runtime, unremarkable craft, and blunt writing make it a mostly unengaging experience, with missed opportunities to portray the life of the missing queer character and her community.[34]

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While producing and starring as a mother in the film, Sylvia Chang collected various thoughts and reflections on parental relationships, which she plans to publish as a book. The book is currently scheduled for release, tentatively titled Daughter.[15][35]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2023 45th Golden Harvest Awards [zh] Excellent Screenplay Award — Won [14]
2024 61st Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actress Sylvia Chang Pending [36]
Best Supporting Actress Eugenie Liu Pending
Best Original Screenplay Huang Xi Pending
Best Original Film Song "Listen" Pending
Best Makeup & Costume Design Kao Hsien-ling Pending

References

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  1. ^ 陳穎 (16 September 2024). "張艾嘉獲人生大殊榮！《女兒的女兒》大受好評 親吐：好險沒改機票". SET News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Frater, Patrick (6 September 2024). "'Daughter's Daughter,' a Tale of Surrogacy, Motherhood and Same Sex Relations, Strikes Sales Ahead of Toronto Film Festival Debut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Slater-Williams, Josh (12 September 2024). "'Daughter's Daughter' Review: Sylvia Chang Stuns in Heartbreaking Tale Split Between New York and Taipei". IndieWire. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  4. ^ Juju, Petit (28 July 2024). "侯孝賢監製《女兒的女兒》張艾嘉、林嘉欣、劉奕兒，瘋狂與叛逆的母女關係". Marie Claire (in Chinese). Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  5. ^ 粘湘婉 (14 September 2024). "張艾嘉《女兒的女兒》首映觀眾淚崩 劉奕兒：一靠近張姐就爆哭". Want China Times (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b 王祖鵬 (16 September 2024). "《女兒的女兒》張艾嘉於多倫多影展獲獎，加拿大名導盛讚其生涯最佳演出之一". The News Lens (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b Wong, Sylvia (17 February 2024). "Rediance boards Hou Hsiao-Hsien exec'd 'Daughter's Daughter', first look revealed (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b 蕭采薇 (25 July 2024). "唯一華語片！《女兒的女兒》前進多倫多影展 張艾嘉嗨喊「好光榮」". ETtoday (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  9. ^ 翁紫曦 (14 December 2024). "《女兒的女兒》開鏡！ 張艾嘉再攜手金獎團隊 大銀幕探討母女議題". China Times (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ^ 林汝珊 (14 September 2024). "傳奇女星張艾嘉怎麼了？因1事「女兒」激動喊：靠近妳我就想哭". SET News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  11. ^ 熊景玉 (16 September 2024). "《鬼才之道》《女兒的女兒》成台灣之光！ 多倫多國際影展雙雙獲獎". Mirror Media (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Chien, Ying-jou (9 May 2024). "侯孝賢監製新片、張艾嘉向導演申訴：讓我站在紐約街頭一秒鐘！｜金馬前進坎城". Yahoo! News (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  13. ^ "慈善選美秀讓中年女展現成熟風采 劉少君鍾美霞黃夏蕙等獻聲支持". Bastille Post (in Chinese). 23 August 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b 鍾志均 (20 November 2023). "《惡潮》奪「優良電影劇本」首獎 林柏宏任初選評審狂讀本像聯考". Liberty Times (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  15. ^ a b 胡玉立 (16 September 2024). "台片「女兒的女兒」、「鬼才之道」多倫多影展雙雙得獎". Central News Agency (in Chinese). Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  16. ^ 蕭采薇 (5 December 2024). "林嘉欣爆婚變後在台首現身！ 樂曝「自由身」笑喊：要拍拖都可以". ETtoday (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  17. ^ 陳穎 (5 December 2024). "林嘉欣斬12年婚首露面！親吐單身「自由開心」現況曝：還是相信愛情". SET News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  18. ^ a b c 許世穎 (14 December 2023). "侯孝賢監製新片開拍！張艾嘉、林嘉欣首扮母女探討人工生殖". Liberty Times (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  19. ^ a b 熊景玉 (14 December 2023). "張艾嘉久違回台拍片！ 曾說要合作的影后開鏡卻未現身". Mirror Media (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  20. ^ 廖福生 (14 December 2024). "張艾嘉來台拍新片！合作侯孝賢團隊 笑嘆：再不拍都變婆婆了". TVBS News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  21. ^ 許逸群 (14 September 2024). "張艾嘉《女兒的女兒》首映催淚 劉奕兒「一靠近她就爆哭」". ETtoday (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  22. ^ Merican, Sara (10 April 2024). "Taiwan's Golden Horse To Present Five Upcoming Projects At Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  23. ^ Wong, Silvia (10 April 2024). "Golden Horse to bring five Taiwanese projects to Cannes". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  24. ^ 魯皓平 (10 May 2024). "讓台灣文化被世界看見！金馬將攜5部矚目新片前進坎城". United Daily News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  25. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (23 July 2024). "Atom Egoyan, Hur Jin-ho & Jane Schoenbrun To Preside Over TIFF Platform Jury; Sidebar Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  26. ^ a b Hu, Yu-li; Wu, Kuan-hsien (16 September 2024). "Taiwanese films praised at Toronto International Film Festival". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  27. ^ Pond, Steve (15 September 2024). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  28. ^ Stephens, Amanda Ruth (16 September 2024). "Taiwanese films make an impact at Toronto International Film Festival". Radio Taiwan International. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  29. ^ 羅子欣 (17 September 2024). "王淨「香菜梗」成國際笑點！ 《鬼才之道》《女兒的女兒》多倫多影展奪獎". TVBS News (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  30. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (25 September 2024). "Tokyo International Film Festival Unveils Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  31. ^ Cheung, Catharina (9 October 2024). "21st Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2024". Time Out. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  32. ^ Jenner, Matthew Joseph (14 September 2024). "Toronto 2024 review: Daughter's Daughter (Huang Xi)". International Cinephile Society. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  33. ^ Alakbarova, Ulkar (16 September 2024). "DAUGHTER'S DAUGHTER (TIFF 2024) – Review by Ulkar Alakbarova". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  34. ^ "TIFF 2024: The Melodrama of 'Daughter's Daughter' Fails Its Dead Lesbians". Autostraddle. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  35. ^ 黃安眴 (16 September 2024). "台灣電影躍國際！《女兒的女兒》、《鬼才之道》多倫多影展雙獲獎". TVBS News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  36. ^ Wong, Silva (3 October 2024). "'Dead Talents Society' leads Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards nominations". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
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