The Best of Times

Set in a Hakka village on the edge of Taipei, the long alley becomes a secret passage to a surreal world where the neighborhood turns into a dreamland. Ordinary streets and houses dissolve into a fairytale stage where piglets, pigeons, and ducks become charming characters. When danger moves the story from the city to a refuge in Yilan, the house of Brother Tse features a colorful aquarium that echoes the sister’s memories.

🌀 Escapism

The alley between the village and the city morphs into a gateway to a magical world, offering Ah Wei and Ah Jie a vivid escape from poverty and daily pressures. The boys drift between reality and fantasy as they chase excitement and security in the underworld. Fantasy serves as both comfort and temptation, shaping their risky choices and moments of hope.

🤝 Friendship

Ah Wei and Ah Jie share a bond that anchors them yet also pulls them toward danger. The cousins’ contrasting temperaments—practical vs. impulsive—test their loyalty and push them to rely on one another. Their relationship drives the plot and highlights how friendship can shield, complicate, and ultimately define a youth’s path.

⚰️ Mortality

Ah Min's cancer casts a pall over the family and intensifies the urgency of every moment. Her looming death shapes how the brothers view life, prompting a yearning for meaning beyond hardship. The illness and impending loss temper the boys’ quest for escape with a bittersweet gravity.

🔫 Violence

A handgun becomes the fuse for a brutal turn as Ah Jie’s recklessness escalates the gang conflict. A fatal shooting during a debt-collection attempt forces the boys to flee, marking a abrupt end to their innocence. The violence tests their bond and forces them to navigate survival in a world that blurs dream and danger.