Girl (2025 film)
| Girl | |||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 女孩 | ||||||
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| Directed by | Shu Qi | ||||||
| Written by | Shu Qi | ||||||
| Produced by | Yeh Jufeng | ||||||
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Yu Jing-Pin | ||||||
| Edited by | William Chang | ||||||
| Music by | Lim Giong | ||||||
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Release date |
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Running time | 125 minutes | ||||||
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Girl (Chinese: 女孩, romanized: Nǚhái) is an upcoming Taiwanese coming-of-age drama film film written and directed by Shu Qi, in her feature directorial debut. Set in the late 1980s, it follows an introverted girl trying to escape her painful past.
The film will have its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion.
Plot
1988, in Taiwan, Hsiao-lee grows up in a joyless environment. She leads a quiet and withdrawn life. This changes one day when she meets Li-li. The child, who is around the same age as Hsiao-lee, inspires her with her lively and carefree nature.[1]
As Hsiao-lee's world begins to open up, her mother Chuan's past reappears and she tries to find her way between her family legacy and her desire for a free life.[1]
Cast
- Lai Yu-Fei
- Lin Pin-Tung as Li-li
- Roy Chiu as Father
- 9m88 as Ajuan
- Bai Xiao-Ying as Lin Xiaoli
- Esther Liu
- Chen Chu-sheng
Production
Girl is the feature film debut of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, who is considered one of the country's biggest stars. After 30 years in the film industry, she was encouraged to undertake film-making after she served on the jury of the 80th Venice International Film Festival in 2023, where she enjoyed films made by new directors. She also cited Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien as a major influence on Girl; Hou cast Shu Qi in leading roles in his films Millennium Mambo (2001), Three Times (2005) and The Assassin (2015). She has said that Girl would never have been made if not for Hou.[2]
In addition to the two child actresses, Taiwanese actors Roy Chiu and Bai Xiao-Ying as well as singer 9m88 joined the cast of Girl.[3][2] Filming ended in autumn of 2024.[4]
The film was produced by Yeh Jufeng.[1] The companies CMC Entertainment, Wow Momentum, J.Q. Pictures and Aranya Pictures contributed financially to the project.[5] Mandarin Vision holds the sales rights for Asia. Paris-based Goodfellas is handling international sales outside of Asia.[1]
Release
Girl was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival,[6] where it is set to have its world premiere on 4 September 2025.[3] It is the first time a Taiwanese production competed for the top prize in Venice since Tsai Ming-liang's Stray Dogs in 2013.
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Film Festival | 6 September 2025 | Golden Lion | Shu Qi | Pending | [3] |
References
- ^ a b c d Goodfellow, Melanie (23 July 2025). "Goodfellas Boards Shu Qi's Venice-Selected Directorial Debut 'Girl' As Taiwanese Star Thanks Hou Hsiao-hsien For Support". Deadline. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ a b Hiciano, Lery (24 July 2025). "Shu Qi's 'Girl' shortlisted at Venice Film Festival". Taipei Times. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Nühai (Girl)". La Biennale di Venezia. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ Hsieh, Allie (23 July 2025). "舒淇解鎖人生新紀錄！自編自導電影《女孩》入圍威尼斯影展，角逐最高榮譽金獅獎". Elle Taiwan. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (16 September 2024). "Taiwan Acting Superstar Shu Qi Wraps Directorial Debut 'Girl'". Variety. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (22 July 2025). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo Del Toro, Noah Baumbach & Benny Safdie In Competition". Deadline. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
External links