Synopsis: Directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Hsiao Ya-chuan, Old Fox invites viewers to reflect on life's difficult choices—between financial insecurity and wealth, and between caring for others or minding one’s own business. The story follows 11-year-old Liao Jie, who finds himself torn between the values of Xie, a wealthy landlord commonly known as “Old Fox,” and the ideals of his father, Liao Tai-Lai, who struggles to achieve stability and a secure home. Set in the late 1980s amidst rapid economic change in Taiwan, the film delves into the impact of rising real estate prices and inflation on personal decisions. Featuring a love interest that enriches the narrative, the film provides a nuanced portrayal of Taiwanese culture and vividly depicts the working class's challenges in achieving financial security and upward mobility.
Historical background and economic tensions
Old Fox poignantly depicts a father and son living in a rented apartment, clinging to the hope of purchasing a home and opening a hair salon to fulfill the late wife’s/mother’s dream. The father, working tirelessly at a restaurant, promises his son they will achieve their goal within three years, leading the boy to eagerly anticipate their future. However, escalating housing prices and harsh economic realities continually push this dream further away. The film captures these struggles minutely, including everyday practices like turning off the gas while taking a shower to conserve energy— a subtle yet powerful reflection of their financial hardship.
This economic divide is starkly illustrated in a harrowing scene in which a downstairs shop renter, initially successful in the stock market, is driven by greed to seek greater fortunes. After a failed investment wipes out his savings, he takes his own life. This scene underscores the harsh realities of market crashes and mirrors the real-life bursting of Taiwan's economic bubble in the 1990s, when a dramatic stock market collapse shattered millions of investors’ dreams.
The struggle between humanity and success
A central theme in Old Fox is the tension between achieving economic success and retaining one’s humanity. The titular Old Fox teaches young Liao Jie that empathy is a weakness reserved for “losers” like his father, advocating for ruthless ambition as the path to success. Xie’s chilling, cynical outlook—suggesting that inequality can be manipulated to create further inequality—shocks both the boy and the audience. This stark contrast with Liao Jie’s father’s compassion challenges viewers to reflect on the true cost of pursuing wealth and the erosion of empathy that tends to accompany it.
The cost of success
The film goes beyond merely criticizing financial ambition, delving into what is sacrificed in its pursuit. While Xie is materially successful, his life is marked by detachment and indifference. In contrast, Liao Jie’s father, despite his financial struggles, remains deeply empathetic and loving towards his family. This contrast invites viewers to reconsider the true meaning of success. Ultimately, Old Fox poses a profound question: How much are we willing to sacrifice for success, and is that success truly worth the cost?
ABOUT Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival
The Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival (TWFF) is an annual non-profit art and culture initiative started in 2007. It has become the largest film festival focusing on Taiwanese cinema in North America.
Over the past 16 years, TWFF has showcased more than 100 Taiwanese films and invited many filmmakers and directors to Vancouver, creating a bridge connecting the art of Taiwanese films with Canadian moviegoers.
