‘Girl’ (2025): A Poignant Coming-of-Age Tale Marks Shu Qi’s Directorial Debut
Taiwanese cinema welcomes a fresh yet deeply resonant voice with Girl (2025), the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actress Shu Qi. Premiering at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2025, this coming-of-age drama has already garnered attention for its heartfelt storytelling and evocative portrayal of 1980s Taiwan. Written and directed by Shu Qi, Girl is a promising first step into filmmaking for one of Taiwan’s biggest stars, delivering a narrative that balances personal trauma with the hope of self-discovery. Set in 1988 Taiwan, Girl follows Hsiao-lee, a reserved young girl trapped in a joyless environment shaped by a painful past. Her introverted existence shifts when she meets Li-li (played by Lin Pin-Tung), a lively and carefree girl of the same age whose vibrant spirit begins to crack open Hsiao-lee’s guarded world. As their friendship blossoms, Hsiao-lee grapples with her mother Chuan’s reemerging past, navigating the tension between […]