"Han Dan," directed by Huang Chao-liang, made its debut in Beijing on Tuesday, artfully merging a tragic story of redemption with the folk custom of China's Taiwan region.

Director Huang Chao-liang (3rd L) and actor Cheng Jen-shuo (3rd R) pose with the audience at the Chinese mainland premiere of "Han Dan" in Beijing, Jan. 2, 2024. [Photo courtesy of HERO Films]

Each year, during the Lantern Festival, young men in Taitung, a southeastern county in Taiwan, partake in the ritualized tradition of dressing as the deity Han Dan, where they are pelted with firecrackers by onlookers, seeking penance and good fortune. In the film, aspiring teacher Zheng-kun (George Hu) makes a tragic error driven by jealousy toward his bully, Ming-yi (Cheng Jen-shuo), during this festival. His mistake causes the death of their mutual love interest. The event renders Ming-yi deaf and plunges him into drug abuse, while Zheng-kun becomes engulfed in disillusionment, self-hatred, and guilt. Years later, the total collapse of Ming-yi's life compels Zheng-kun to aid his former foe, and they together face local gangsters who threaten their recycling business. However, the lingering shadows of the past persist.

The critically acclaimed film skillfully captures the intricate dance of human emotions through cinematography and deeply nuanced performances. Juxtaposing the traditional with the modern, the film explores fate and choice. It reflects the essence of Taiwan while weaving in universal themes, creating a novel and thought-provoking moral tale. Through this narrative, the director delves into the ups and downs of life, aiming to inspire audiences to find a way through adversity.

To authentically depict the Han Dan ritual, director Huang first created a documentary, personally dressing as Han Dan and enduring a firecracker attack. Regarding this unique life experience, the director explained at the premiere, "The instant explosion of firecrackers is something today's cameras cannot fully capture due to the smoke, making it impossible to see people and the surrounding environment clearly. Close-up firecracker explosions require special effects. I had to go up there and observe the explosions, so we could create convincing special effects. I aimed to achieve something that was real, perfect, and beautiful." He also explained that the decision to immerse himself in this perilous situation was driven by a desire to deeply understand the cultural significance of this folk practice.

A poster for "Han Dan." [Image courtesy of China Film Group]

Actor Cheng Jen-shuo, widely praised for his performance, shared at the premiere his intense preparation for the role. He deprived himself of sleep for three days to achieve the character's spaced-out state. He also spent time with deaf individuals, observing and recording their actions to portray their movements accurately.

"Cheng is a very dedicated actor who gave his all," the director shared. "At one point during filming, I once smelled a strong alcohol odor when we acted together. I scolded him, but he didn't say anything and walked far away. It was much later that I found out that he was shooting his scene during that time. He used this self-destructive method to achieve the character's state."

This film, characterized by its masterful darkness, moody ambiance, and gritty realism, garnered rave reviews following its screening. Having initially premiered in Taiwan in 2019, "Han Dan" is scheduled for release in mainland theaters on Jan. 5.

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