{"id":38745,"date":"2026-03-18T23:25:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T03:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunterword.com\/?p=38745"},"modified":"2026-03-18T23:25:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T03:25:21","slug":"review-of-film-director-yuhan-tsais-dua-ji-movie-short-part1-greggwmorris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunterword.com\/index.php\/review-of-film-director-yuhan-tsais-dua-ji-movie-short-part1-greggwmorris\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of Film Director YuHan Tsai’s DUA JI Movie Short – Part 1
Official Selection, Narrative Short Competition of SXSW 2026<\/small>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A-Hsien played by Kuei-Mei Yang<\/p><\/div>\n

Set in rural Taiwan, DUA JI (which translates to “Eldest Daughter”) follows A-Hsien, the eldest sister in a family preparing for her mother\u2019s funeral. While her siblings return home after living their own lives elsewhere, A-Hsien \u2014 who stayed home as the primary caretaker \u2014 is forced to navigate the rigid, patriarchal rituals of a Taoist funeral. The plot centers on her internal conflict: She is expected to be the emotional pillar and a servant to tradition, yet she harbors a growing “silent resistance” against the roles forced upon her. The film is less about external drama and more a quiet study of her grief, resentment, and eventual rebellion against societal expectations.<\/p>\n

The storyline explores the psychological burden of duty. Director YuHan Tsai uses the funeral as a microcosm of a patriarchal society where A-Hsien\u2019s emotions are suffocated by orthodox rituals. The film highlights how the sibling who stays to care for aging parents is often the one “taken for granted” and viewed as less rational or successful by those who moved away. Director Tsai focuses heavily on A-Hsien\u2019s face (played by Kuei-Mei Yang) to convey the “fuming pain” that she isn’t allowed to express vocally.<\/p>\n

High On Films.com praised the movie as a “contemplative portrait of grief,” specifically highlighting the “watertight structure” and the lead performance of Actress Kuei-Mei Yang (known for her work with Ang Lee and Tsai Ming-liang). Others Critics have noted the film’s “deliberate, unhurried pace” and lack of “script fluff.”<\/p>\n

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Director YuHan Tsai<\/p><\/div>\n

This reviewer considers DUA JI a must-see. The director\u2019s virtuosity for creating deep empathy for the “invisible” work of female caretakers is elegant and impressive as well as literally and figuratively off the charts. Many in audiences will not only connect with the concept of “Eldest Daughter Syndrome” presented in the film but palpably feel it.<\/p>\n

While DUA JI<\/em> is her latest success, Tsai\u2019s previous work, THE TOUR BUS <\/em>won Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction and an Honorable Award at the 41st Golden Harvest Awards in Taiwan. The Taiwanese writer and director is now based in New York; was \u00a0born in Chiayi, Taiwan; she lived in China for 14 years before returning to Taiwan for studies. She holds an MFA in Directing from Columbia University. Her filmmaking style is known for blending personal experience with themes of identity, sovereignty, and the intimate female experience. She often explores the “inner lives of women” and the tensions between tradition and transformation.<\/p>\n

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YuHan Tsai\u8521\u6e1d\u6db5<\/a> (@hanna_20044<\/a>) \u2022 Instagram photos and videos<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n