A City of Sadness is a Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. It tells the story of a family living in Taiwan during the period of Japanese rule after World War II.
The film follows the struggles of the Lin family as they navigate the political and social changes happening around them. The eldest brother, Wen-heung, is a deaf-mute photographer who falls in love with a young woman named Hinomi. Their relationship is complicated by the political turmoil of the time, as Taiwan transitions from Japanese to Chinese rule.
A City of Sadness explores themes of loss, identity, and memory as the Lin family grapples with the changing world around them. The film is known for its slow pace and poetic storytelling, capturing the melancholy atmosphere of post-war Taiwan.