Edward Yang's 'Mahjong' Set for October Release: The Youthful Appearance of Zhang Qian

The last film of Edward Yang, the cineaste who led the Taiwanese New Wave, which had not been released domestically, Mahjong, has finally confirmed its official domestic release this October. Mahjong is the final work of the New Taipei Trilogy following Edward Yang's A Brighter Summer Day and The Terrorizers, which has not been officially released in the country until now. Mahjong captures the precarious desires of four Taipei boys and a French girl against the backdrop of the sleepless city of Taipei.

In Mahjong, 14-year-old Zhang Qian, who debuted as the boy 'Xiao Shu' in A Brighter Summer Day, reunites with Edward Yang, playing 'Hong Kong', one of the youth in a gang. Additionally, the young gang members Tang Zhongsheng, Gao Lun, and Wang Baishan are all actors who appeared in their youthful forms in A Brighter Summer Day. While depicting the night city of Taipei filled with desires for wealth, director Edward Yang created a work that speaks of hope through characters who have not lost their innocence.

The teaser poster for Mahjong, released alongside the news of its October domestic release, features an image of Zhang Qian's youthful profile as 'Hong Kong', capturing the audience's attention. Zhang Qian's debut work, filmed at the age of 14, is Edward Yang's A Brighter Summer Day. After pausing his acting career for his studies, he returned as an adult to work on Mahjong, continuing to be Edward Yang's persona. The side profile of 'Hong Kong', appearing jaded in the poster, seems to represent the precarious youth of Taipei, further amplifying expectations for the film.