Three Times Hou Hsiao Hsien «Must Watch»
. The film presents three distinct love stories set in different eras of Taiwan’s history, each starring the same two lead actors, Chang Chen , playing different characters. 1. A Time for Love (1966)
Hou breaks the film into three distinct segments, each capturing the unique social and emotional atmosphere of its era. 1. A Time for Love (1966) A smoky, nostalgic pool hall in rural Taiwan. three times hou hsiao hsien
Hou shoots this segment in his signature long takes—no close-ups, no reaction shots. The camera sits at a medium distance, watching the characters enter and exit the frame. There is a famous sequence where Chen searches for May across three different towns. We see him board a bus, wait in the rain, knock on a door, and leave. The entire sequence contains almost no dialogue. A Time for Love (1966) Hou breaks the