Your Name Engraved Herein

The film is set as martial law ends in 1987, a period of political opening and social change in Taiwan. The school environment reflects conservative norms while signs of reform begin to surface. The timeline follows the characters’ coming-of-age amid these shifts, including moments of protest, forbidden attraction, and personal discovery.

The story unfolds primarily in Taiwan, centered on life at a Catholic all-boys high school. It moves from dorms and pool sessions to city streets in Taipei, and later to the island of Penghu and the city of Quebec in a reflective denouement. The setting highlights a society transitioning away from martial law, with shifting norms around sexuality, schooling, and authority.

🏳️‍🌈 Identity

The film centers on a young man navigating his sexuality and emotional truth under social scrutiny. It traces the slow, painful process of self-acceptance and the pressure to conform. Through the evolving relationship between A-han and Birdy, the story explores inner conflicts, desire, and the search for authenticity.

🎭 Society & Gender

Co-education and strict gender rules juxtapose with moments of vulnerability and closeness between boys. The narrative critiques rigid masculinity and the punitive responses to nonconformity. It shows how institutions shape behavior, while individuals push back in small, rebellious acts.

💔 Love & Loss

Romantic longing unfolds against a backdrop of surveillance and judgment. The characters experience moments of connection, jealousy, and heartbreak as their feelings collide with expectations. The arc culminates in a poignant, unresolved love that echoes through time.

⚖️ Authority & Repression

The story portrays pressure from family, school, religion, and the police. It examines how authority figures respond to nonconformity and how individuals respond with courage or retreat. Amid conflict, moments of mentorship reveal empathy and personal history that complicate the power dynamics.