23rd New York Asian Film Festival

July 12-28, 2024

Photo: ©Third Man Entertainment reserved

North American Premiere

Suffocating Love

愛的噩夢

Director Liao Ming-Yi resumes his quirky exploration of the Möbius strip connecting love and paranoia after his breakthrough feature debut I WeirDO (NYAFF 2020), with both films gorgeously shot entirely on iPhones. An idealistic would-be mensch’s search for romance leads him down a surreal rabbit hole of dreams come true, for better or worse. His heart is first captured by an adorable control freak pure of soul but whose idiosyncrasies get the best of both of them. Before you can say doppelganger there are two other beguiling women in his love life, but oh boy, is there some wild world-building at play here. Liao reunites his previous film's stars, Austin Lin and Nikki Hsieh, while adding glamorous Lin Dayuan and ingénue Chloe Xiang to the fray. Continuing his fascination with high-concept cyber-influenced narratives, OCD-fueled romcom tropes and stylish flourishes that harken the thriller and horror genres, Liao delves deep into the nitty-gritty complications of contemporary coupling.

Director: Liao Ming-yi
Cast: Austin Lin, Nikki Hsieh, Chloe Xiang
Languages: Mandarin with English subtitles
2024; 102 min.

SCHEDULE:

Saturday July 27, 6:30pm
SVA Theatre

Intro and Q&A with director Liao Ming-yi and cast members Austin Lin and Nikki Hsieh

Austin Lin
林柏宏

Austin Lin made his debut with the film Somewhere I Have Never Traveled (2009) and in 2016, won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for At Cafe 6. In 2020, he was nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Horse Awards for I Weirdo (NYAFF 2020). He starred in Terrorizers (NYAFF 2022) and in 2023, played a grieving husband in Marry My Dead Body (NYAFF 2023 Audience Awardee), which led to a nomination for Best Actor at the Taipei Film Festival Awards, cementing his status as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. A huge box office winner, the film went on to wide acclaim after its Netflix release, where it won top ranking across Asia. Lin has a pivotal role in Salli (NYAFF 2024) and anchors Suffocating Love (NYAFF 2024).

Liao Ming-yi
廖明毅

Liao Ming-yi earned a Master’s degree from the School of Applied Media Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts. He started creating his own productions in 2005 and has directed seven short films, including The Gift. In 2011, he served as the executive director and editing director on You Are the Apple of My Eye. He was also the editing director of Bad Girls and Forever Love, both in 2012. In 2015, he was the executive director and editing director on At Café 6; and in 2017, was the screenwriter and executive director on Didi's Dream. He made his directorial debut with I Weirdo (NYAFF 2020), and his second feature with Suffocating Love (NYAFF 2024).

Nikki Hsieh
謝欣穎

Hsieh Hsin-Ying is an actress and model who has worked in film, TV and advertising. In 2006, she won the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress for Reflections. In 2011, she won the Best Actress Award at the Taipei Film Festival for her performances in Make Up and Honey Pupu. She was shortlisted for the Golden Bell Awards for Actress in a Drama Program for her 2013 performance in the TV series Die Sterntaler. In 2020, she was shortlisted for the Golden Bell Awards Supporting Actress Award for her performance in Til Death Do Us Part. She was also shortlisted for the Best Actress Award at the Golden Horse Awards and the Best Actress Award at the Taipei Film Awards for I Weirdo (NYAFF 2020). She reunites with her costar, Austin Lin, for Suffocating Love (NYAFF 2024).