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Malaysia Tsai Ming-liang is a Malaysian-Taiwanese filmmaker renowned for his distinctive contributions to Slow Cinema, capturing urban alienation and human connection through minimalist narratives and deliberate pacing.
Tsai and Lee have created a body of work unlike any other in world cinema, capturing urban ennui and desire amid the ethereal, neon-lit dreamscapes of Taipei.
The BFI has featured Tsai Ming-liang's hypnotic cinema, providing guidance on where to begin with his films, which are characterized by themes of loneliness and thwarted desire.
Renowned Director Tsai Ming-Liang Inspires Young Filmmakers. As a prominent figure in Chinese-language cinema, Tsai Ming-Liang's films are renowned for their unique style and profound reflections on life.
Discussing his latest film, Days, a film that trembles with the simple pleasure and release of human touch.
Exploring the similarities between Tsai's long-term collaboration with Lee Kang-sheng and French New Wave auteur François Truffaut's collaboration with Léaud in relation to his film 'Face'.
Discussing how one of cinema's greatest director-actor partnerships (Tsai and Lee Kang-sheng) boldly challenges our fast-paced world in their multi-disciplinary 'Walker' project.
Tsai Ming-liang is recognized as one of the masters of contemporary world cinema, with his films distinguished by long takes, minimal dialogue, and the consistent presence of actor Lee Kang-sheng.
BAMPFA welcomed director Tsai Ming-liang and actor Lee Kang-sheng to discuss seven of their films, including Vive l'amour; The Hole; Goodbye, Dragon Inn; and The River.
Born in Kuching, Malaysia on October 27, 1957, Tsai Ming-liang spent his formative years in Malaysia before relocating to Taipei, Taiwan, at the age of 20. This transition significantly influenced his perspective, shaping his unique cinematic voice which often explores themes of alienation and identity. He pursued his education at the Drama and Cinema Department of the Chinese Cultural University of Taiwan, graduating in 1982. Following his graduation, Tsai began his career in the arts, working as a theatrical producer and later transitioning into television as a director in Hong Kong. From 1989 to 1991, he directed several telefilms, including ‘Boys,’ which marked the beginning of his enduring collaboration with actor Lee Kang-sheng, who would become a central figure in nearly all of Tsai’s subsequent feature productions.
Tsai’s entry into feature filmmaking began in 1992 with ‘Rebels of the Neon God,’ a film that introduced his characteristic exploration of troubled youth and urban environments, often featuring sparse dialogue and extended takes. His second feature, ‘Vive L’Amour’ (1994), achieved international acclaim, winning the Golden Lion (best picture) at the 1994 Venice Film Festival and the Golden Horse Awards for best picture and best director, solidifying his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary cinema. He continued to develop his idiosyncratic style with films like ‘The River’ (1997) and ‘The Hole’ (1998), further refining his minimalist approach and often incorporating musical elements to underscore emotional depth. His work ‘Goodbye, Dragon Inn’ (2003) is particularly noted for its extremely long takes and minimal dialogue.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Tsai expanded his filmography with works such as ‘What Time Is It There?’ (2001), ‘The Wayward Cloud’ (2005), and ‘Stray Dogs’ (2013), the latter earning the Grand Jury Prize at the 70th Venice International Film Festival. He also ventured into exhibition films, most notably the ‘Walker’ series (2012–2024), which features Lee Kang-sheng as a monk traversing various landscapes at an exceedingly slow pace, challenging conventional narratives and cinematic rhythm. In 2014, France recognized his cultural contributions by awarding him the Order of Arts and Letters. His most recent feature film, ‘Days’ (2020), continued his distinct style and competed for the Golden Bear at the Berlinale film festival, underscoring his ongoing impact on world cinema.
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