Mongrel
by Chiang Wei Liang
Synopsis
Logline
Oom has no papers or formal training but is good at caring for the elderly and disabled. When his situation as a caregiver in the mountains becomes too much for him, he has to choose between survival or dignity.
Specifications
Taiwan, Singapore, France 128 min. 4:3 2K 5.1 Taiwanese, Mandarin, Thai 1st Feature Film
Directed by
Chiang Wei Liang & Yin You Qiao
Executive Producers
Hou Hsiao-hsien, Liao Ching-sung, Jennifer Jao
Producers
Lai Weijie, Lynn Chen, Chu Yun-ting
Co- Producers
Marie Dubas, Elizabeth Wijaya
Main Cast
Wanlop Rungkumjad
Lu Yi-ching
Hong Yu-hung
Kuo Shu-wei
Atchara Sawan
Crew
DoP: Michaël Capron
Production Designer: Liv Ye Chih-wei
Editor: Dounia Sichov
Festivals
Directors’ Fortnight Cannes 2024
SPECIAL MENTION CAMÉRA D’OR
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Melbourne International Film Festival – International Features
Funf Seen Filmfestival
Ourense Film Festival – BEST SCREENPLAY & SPECIAL MENTION BEST PHOTOGRAPHY
Busan International Film Festival – A Window on Asian Cinema
Hong Kong Asian Film Festival
Mostra de Sao Paulo – New Filmmakers Competition
Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival – BEST NEW DIRECTOR
Five Flavours Asian Film Festival – New Asian Cinema
Tokyo FILMeX – SPECIAL MENTION
World Film Festival of Bangkok – International Competition
Asia Pacific Screen Awards – BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Singapore International Film Festival – Asian Feature Film Competition
Press Quotes
The Guardian ****
written by Peter Bradshaw
“Zen-like tale of compassion and suffering among migrant care workers”
“Close attention is required for this sombre but impressive Taiwanese feature debut about exploited illegal staff, and their patients and gangmasters”
Screen Daily ****
Written by John Berra
“Chiang is among the crop of promising young filmmakers mentored by Hou Hsiao-hsien (credited here as an executive producer) and his approach recalls the distanced yet empathic observational sensibility of the recently retired Taiwanese master.”
“Mongrel is shot in boxy academy ratio by cinematographer Michaël Capron which affords a sense of claustrophobia in a mountainous region.”
Written by Stephanie Bunbury
“There is a sense after seeing it, however, of having encountered greatness. That is a rarity, even in Cannes.”