Principal cast
Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Hsin Shu-Fen, Chan Chung-Yung, Jack Kao and Tai Bo
Film 236 of 498 on the Screen Path
A City of Sadness
About the film
A City of Sadness at a glance.
Screen Path places this 1989 film at stop 236 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.
The story of a family embroiled in the "White Terror," the Kuomintang government's anti-communist political repression that was wrought on the Taiwanese people from 1947-1987.
Key craft credits
Chen Hwai-en (director of photography), Chi-Wah Lau (art direction) and Lam Shung-Man (art direction)
- Director
- Hou Hsiao-hsien
- Release
- 1989-10-21
- Runtime
- 158 minutes
- Genres
- Drama and History
- Country
- Taiwan
- Quiz
- 25 questions
The Screen Path journey
Before. After. Remember.
The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.
01
Before you watch
Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.
Spoiler-free02
After the film
Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.
Contains spoilers03
Quiz yourself
Answer 25 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.
25 questions in this journeyCitizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.
Start the example →Full cast
Full cast
- Tony Leung Chiu-waiCharacter: Wen-Ching
- Hsin Shu-FenCharacter: Wu Kuan Mei / Hinome
- Chan Chung-YungCharacter: Wen-Heung
- Jack KaoCharacter: Wen Leung
- Tai BoCharacter: Ah Jia
- Li Tian-LuCharacter: Ah Lu
- Grace Chen Shu-FangCharacter: Meidai
- Wu Nien-jenCharacter: Mr. Wu
- Tsai Chen-nanCharacter: Singer
- King Shih-chiehCharacter: Mr. Huang
- Ko Su-yunCharacter: Sister-in-law
- Wou Yi FangCharacter: Wu Kuan Rong / Hinoiei
Full crew
Full crew
- Hou Hsiao-hsienCredits: Director
- Wu Nien-jenCredits: Writer
- Yau Fook-SangCredits: Producer
- Ching-an YangCredits: Sound
- Chang Tso-chiCredits: Assistant Director
- Chen Hwai-enCredits: Director of Photography
- Tu Duu-chihCredits: Sound
- Chu Tien-WenCredits: Writer
- Chi-Wah LauCredits: Art Direction
- Lam Shung-ManCredits: Art Direction
Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.