What Time Is It Over There?

Hsiao-kang, a dedicated street vendor, struggles to maintain his modest watch-selling business in Taipei. Following the recent death of his father, he finds himself caught in a web of grief and responsibilities.

Shianging-chyi Chen enters Hsiao-kang's life seeking a dual-time watch for her upcoming trip to Paris. Despite her charm and determination, he initially refuses to part with his personal watch due to superstitions regarding bad luck.

As Hsiao-kang grapples with the loss of his father, he witnesses his mother deeply mourning. She leaves food and water in hopes of reconnecting with her deceased husband, leading to a heavy and somber atmosphere in their home.

Struggling with his grief, Hsiao-kang escapes into the world of cinema by watching 'The 400 Blows'. He becomes obsessed with setting all clocks and watches to Paris time, indicating a desire to escape reality.

In Paris, Shiang-chyi explores the vibrant city alone, visiting shops and dining at various restaurants. Her adventure contrasts with Hsiao-kang’s stagnant emotions back home, symbolizing their diverging paths.

While Hsiao-kang navigates his sorrow, his mother becomes increasingly erratic, believing that changes in time at home signal her husband's return. This fixation leads to growing tension between her and Hsiao-kang, complicating their bond further.

In an unexpected turn, Shiang-chyi meets Jean-Pierre Léaud, the star of 'The 400 Blows', at a cemetery. This surreal encounter highlights her struggles with loneliness while in a foreign city.

Later, Shiang-chyi forms a brief connection with another Chinese woman at a restaurant. Their intimate moment is fleeting, with the woman abruptly turning away, emphasizing the theme of lost connections.

At home, Hsiao-kang's mother continues her rituals, awkwardly setting the dinner table for her husband. Afterward, she indulges in moments of solitude, reflecting her ongoing grief in stark contrast to Hsiao-kang's own struggles.

In a moment of desperation, Hsiao-kang engages with a prostitute, seeking a brief connection. This encounter turns sour when she steals his briefcase filled with watches while he sleeps, leading to further loss.

After the incident with the prostitute, Hsiao-kang returns home to his grieving mother. He lies down beside her, both lost in their respective sorrow, embodying the weight of their shared loss.

Meanwhile, Shiang-chyi finds herself overwhelmed with emotion beside a pool in Paris, lost in her tears. This moment signifies her sense of isolation and longing, despite being in a beautiful city.

As the story unfolds, a mysterious figure resembling Hsiao-kang's father appears and retrieves Shiang-chyi's suitcase from the water. This event leaves both characters with unanswered questions and unresolved connections.

The film concludes with a haunting sense of unresolved connections, driven by the losses both Hsiao-kang and Shiang-chyi face. Their parallel narratives merge through their mutual search for closeness amidst overwhelming grief.