Yang Yang (2009 Film)

Yang Yang is a 2009 Taiwanese drama film directed by Yu-Chieh Cheng. The film had its world premiere on February 8, 2009, at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival under the Berlinale Special section, followed by a theatrical release in Taiwan on August 7, 2009.

Promotional image of Yang Yang — Promotional image of the 2009 film Yang Yang

Production and Crew

The film was written and directed by Yu-Chieh Cheng, with assistance from director Tom Lin and production by Khan Lee. Cinematography was handled by Jake Pollock and Yue-Xing Liu. The feature has a runtime of 112 minutes, was filmed in Mandarin, and represents a production from Taiwan.

Plot Summary

The story follows Yang Yang, a 20-year-old student athlete of half-French descent who does not speak French. Her life shifts when her Taiwanese mother marries her track coach, bringing a new step-sister and fellow student athlete named Xiao-ru into her household. Complexities arise as jealousy and rivalry develop between the step-sisters after Xiao-ru's boyfriend, Shawn, directs his attention toward Yang Yang.

Cast

Yung-yung Chang as Yang Yang
Bryant Chang as Shawn
Chien-wei Huang as Ming-Ren
Sihui He as Xiao-ru

Festival Screenings

Following its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Yang Yang screened at several international events:

59th Berlin International Film Festival (February 2009) - Berlinale Special
62nd Locarno International Film Festival (August 2009) - Open Doors Screenings
28th Vancouver International Film Festival (October 2009) - North American Premiere, Dragons and Tigers
14th Pusan International Film Festival (October 2009) - A Window on Asian Cinema
22nd Tokyo International Film Festival (October 2009) - Winds of Asia - Middle East
29th Hawaii International Film Festival (October 2009) - Emerging Filmmakers Award