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Our Times (2002) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2002 · 75 mins · Persian
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Directed by
Rakhshan Banietemad
Starring
Baran Kosari, Reza Davoudnejad, Pegah Ahangarani, Milad Sadrameli, Arezu Bayat, Ehsan Delaviz

Documentary by Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, an Iranian female director. This film portrays two aspects of the Iranian presidential election of 2001.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Our Times Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Our Times (2002) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Introduction to Lin Truly's Present Life

    The film opens with Lin Truly working as an office worker, leading a stressful and mundane life. She listens to an Andy Lau song, which triggers memories of her high school days, reflecting her sincere and hardworking nature. Her current life contrasts sharply with her carefree past, setting the stage for her nostalgic journey.

    When
    Present day
  2. Flashback to High School Days

    Lin Truly reminisces about her high school life as an ordinary girl who idolized Andy Lau and enjoyed a simple, carefree existence. She had a crush on Ouyang Fei-Fan and had two close friends, highlighting her innocence and youthful idealism. The flashback introduces the key characters and the nostalgic tone of the story.

    When
    Seventeen years old
    Where
    High school
  3. Receiving the Chain Letter

    Lin Truly receives a chain letter warning of doom if she doesn't pass it on. Out of innocence, she shares it with Hsu Tai-yu, a notorious gangster, and Tao Min-min, the popular girl. Hsu Tai-yu's reaction to the letter leads to him getting hit by a car, which becomes a pivotal event.

    When
    During high school
    Where
    School
  4. Hsu Tai-yu's Revenge and Partnership

    After recovering, Hsu Tai-yu forces Lin Truly to become his 'friend' and run errands for him, effectively making her his errand girl. Meanwhile, Lin Truly overhears Tao Min-min and Ouyang Fei-Fan secretly dating, which deepens her feelings of loneliness and sets her quest for understanding.

    When
    After the car accident
    Where
    School
  5. Discovering the Past

    Lin Truly uncovers that Ouyang and Tai-yu were once close friends, and learns about the tragic death of their mutual friend, which caused Tai-yu's withdrawal from school. This revelation humanizes Tai-yu and prompts Lin Truly to try to change his outlook.

    When
    Later in high school
    Where
    School
  6. The Roller-skating Race and Reconciliation

    Lin Truly challenges Tai-yu to a roller-skating race, winning and using the opportunity to ask him to return to his former self. Inspired by her words, Tai-yu begins to improve his behavior, study, and slowly opens up to a different path.

    When
    During high school
    Where
    School grounds
  7. Growing Closer and Romantic Feelings

    As their friendship develops, Lin Truly and Tai-yu spend more time together, understanding each other's struggles. Lin Truly begins to develop romantic feelings for Tai-yu, and Tai-yu's academic improvement surprises everyone, including their skeptical teacher.

    When
    High school years
    Where
    School
  8. Conflict with the School Director

    Tai-yu is unfairly accused of cheating during exams and punished by the school's director, leading to his collapse from heat stroke. Lin Truly protests his treatment, and together, the students stage a protest during the school festival to demand fairness.

    When
    During high school festival
    Where
    School
  9. School Festival Protest

    The students, led by Lin Truly, intentionally commit minor offenses during the school festival as a protest against the authoritarian director. Their actions prompt the principal to reconsider and eventually make concessions, highlighting the power of student activism.

    When
    School festival
    Where
    School
  10. Camping Trip and Promises

    During a school camping trip, Lin Truly and Tai-yu promise to never forget each other after they graduate, emphasizing the deep bond formed between them. This heartfelt moment underscores the significance of their friendship and unfulfilled romantic feelings.

    When
    Upon graduation
    Where
    Camping site
  11. Birthday and Confession

    On her birthday, Lin Truly receives a heartfelt recording from Tai-yu, expressing his feelings and asking her to remember him. She seeks to get closer to him, but is surprised to learn that Tai-yu is now with Tao Min-min, leading to her emotional breakdown.

    When
    The day before her birthday
    Where
    Outside school
  12. Tai-yu's Health Crisis and Departure

    Tai-yu discovers he has a brain blood clot caused by past accidents and his violent lifestyle. His parents decide to send him overseas for treatment, severing contact with Lin Truly and leaving their future uncertain.

    When
    After high school
    Where
    Hospital and abroad
  13. The Final Recording and Love Confession

    After exams, Lin Truly listens to Tai-yu’s recorded message, where he confesses his feelings and admits he still loves her. Despite their promises, circumstances separated them, but his words remain a poignant reminder of their love.

    When
    Post-university exams
    Where
    Present day
  14. Present Day Reflection and Reunion

    Lin Truly, now an adult, leaves her job and romantic relationship to rediscover herself. She encounters Andy Lau and, through a contact from Tai-yu, reunites with him outside a concert, fulfilling their childhood promise in a heartfelt ending.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Taipei, outside Andy Lau concert

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:12

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Timeline questions answered

Our Times Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Our Times (2002): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Lin Truly share the chain letter with Hsu Tai-yu?

Lin Truly shared the chain letter naively because she was only seventeen and believed the warning about disaster if she didn't pass it on. She distributed it to several classmates including Hsu Tai-yu, not realizing it would set off a chain of events that would change her life.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lin is shown as a simple, carefree girl who trusted easily and idolized Andy Lau without suspicion.

  • chain letter
  • Lin Truly
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • high school
  • accident
Q2

What caused Hsu Tai-yu to become a gangster?

Tai-yu turned to a life of crime after a tragic event that killed his mutual friend with Ouyang Fei-Fan. This loss devastated both boys and drove Tai-yu away from school, eventually leading him to become the school's notorious gangster.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes that Ouyang and Tai-yu were once close friends before the story begins.

  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • gangster
  • Ouyang Fei-Fan
  • tragic event
  • friendship
Q3

Why did Lin Truly trick Hsu Tai-yu into becoming her ally?

After discovering the truth about Tai-yu's past, Lin felt compassion for him and wanted to help him change. She manipulated him into being her ally by revealing she knew about his past, believing she could guide him toward redemption.

Foreshadowing: Lin overhears about Tai-yu's tragic history, which humanizes him in her eyes.

  • Lin Truly
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • alliance
  • redemption
  • manipulation
Q4

What happened after Lin Truly won the roller-skating race against Tai-yu?

After winning, Lin used the opportunity to ask Tai-yu to rediscover his true self beyond the gangster persona. Her heartfelt words deeply moved him, prompting him to improve his behavior, study harder, and gradually transform his life.

Foreshadowing: This challenge builds on Lin's earlier decision to trick Tai-yu into being her ally.

  • roller-skating race
  • Lin Truly
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • transformation
  • redemption
Q5

Why was Hsu Tai-yu accused of cheating on exams?

The school's new director suspiciously accused Tai-yu of cheating when he surprisingly placed tenth in the mock exams, an achievement the director found unbelievable given Tai-yu's reputation as a troublemaker.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Tai-yu's academic improvement after meeting Lin surprises everyone at school.

  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • cheating accusation
  • school director
  • unfair punishment
  • exam
Q6

What triggered the school festival protest?

The protest was triggered when Tai-yu collapsed from heat stroke during an unfair punishment run after being falsely accused of cheating. Lin Truly rallied the students to protest the director's authoritarian treatment, leading to a school-wide demonstration that achieved positive change.

Foreshadowing: The unfair punishment directly follows the cheating accusation incident.

  • school protest
  • festival
  • unfair treatment
  • heat stroke
  • student activism
Q7

Why was Lin Truly heartbroken on her birthday?

On her birthday, Lin hoped to get closer to Tai-yu and had him sign her yearbook, but was devastated to learn that Tai-yu was now together with Tao Min-min. Despite her feelings for him, she congratulated them and quietly broke down.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lin had overheard Tao and Ouyang secretly dating, creating emotional tension.

  • birthday
  • Lin Truly
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • Tao Min-min
  • heartbreak
Q8

What happened to Hsu Tai-yu after high school?

After high school, Tai-yu discovered he had a dangerous blood clot in his brain, a lingering injury from the car accident and his violent lifestyle. His parents decided to send him abroad for treatment, cutting off contact with Lin Truly.

Foreshadowing: The car accident in high school planted the seeds for this health crisis.

  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • blood clot
  • abroad
  • treatment
  • separation
Q9

What was in the recording that Tai-yu left for Lin Truly?

The recording was left for Lin to listen to after her university entrance exam. In it, Tai-yu confessed his enduring feelings for her, acknowledging their complex history and encouraging her to remember him always in her heart.

Foreshadowing: The camping trip scene established their promise to never forget each other.

  • recording
  • confession
  • love
  • Lin Truly
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • message
Q10

How did Lin Truly meet Hsu Tai-yu again at the concert?

Decades later, adult Lin attempted to buy a ticket for an Andy Lau concert in Taipei. She bumped into Andy Lau himself, who gave her a contact to secure access. When she called that contact, it turned out to be Tai-yu, alive and in a different form, fulfilling their childhood promise.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Lin listening to an Andy Lau song, setting up the concert as a symbolic return.

  • reunion
  • concert
  • Andy Lau
  • Taipei
  • promise
  • Hsu Tai-yu
  • fate
Q11

Why did Lin Truly leave her job and previous relationship in adulthood?

As an adult, Lin Truly left her stressful office job and her previous romantic relationship behind to rediscover herself. This choice reflects her journey from being an overwhelmed office worker to pursuing what truly matters, leading her back to her childhood dreams.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Lin feeling overwhelmed by her mundane adult life.

  • career change
  • self-discovery
  • Lin Truly
  • adulthood
  • relationship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Our Times, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Our Times tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Documentaries from a historical moment like Our Times

Films that capture the mood and texture of a specific historical moment through personal stories. Explore movies like Our Times that document pivotal social and political periods. These films blend observational footage with personal narratives, offering a reflective and often bittersweet look at a specific time in history. If you enjoyed the portrayal of the 2001 Iranian election in Our Times, you'll find similar historical explorations here.

  • nostalgic
  • reflective
  • poignant
  • thought-provoking
  • historical
  • sentimental
  • Tone: bittersweet, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, observational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often unfold through a combination of direct observation and personal testimony, chronicling the impact of significant historical events on communities and individuals. The journey is typically reflective, structuring time to build a comprehensive and emotionally resonant portrait of an era.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a commitment to capturing the essence of a historical period with emotional authenticity. They use a steady, observational pace and a bittersweet tone to explore the gap between political ideals and personal realities, creating a powerful sense of time and place.

Movies about fateful reunions like Our Times

Stories where life's twists lead to separation, growth, and a meaningful, fateful reconnection. Find movies like Our Times that feature heartfelt stories of separation and reunion. If you liked the emotional arc of characters growing apart and finding each other again, these films capture that bittersweet mix of nostalgia, personal growth, and the power of destiny. They share a medium emotional weight and a hopeful yet poignant conclusion.

  • heartfelt
  • nostalgic
  • hopeful
  • poignant
  • fateful
  • sentimental
  • Tone: bittersweet, heartfelt, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a close connection that is fractured by external events—be it social upheaval, personal choices, or simple misfortune. The story then follows the parallel paths of the characters as they mature, often facing their own struggles, before a pivotal event or twist of fate orchestrates a reunion that underscores their enduring bond.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they all explore the powerful theme of fate and the emotional resonance of reunion after a period of growth and separation. They share a bittersweet tone, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a finale that provides emotional closure tied to the past.

Every angle

Our Times (2002) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Our Times in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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