Alulu Kuo

“And they lived happily ever after” is an ending we are all too familiar with. On Marriage focuses on portraying all those struggles that couples encounter when they give up themselves to fulfill their marriage. In this anthology series, each individual episode explores varying meanings of marriage from five unique perspectives.

The Qiaotou youth LI Wen-hsin was arrested during the December 10, 1979, demonstration spearheaded by Formosa Magazine. After being thrown into prison, he learned a way to survive: mixing saltwater with white rice. He also recalled wonderful times with his girlfriend A-chun, the joys and suffering he shared with friends and family, and his longing for democracy. In this prison, referred to by inmates as the “Hotel Saltwater,” Wen-hsin and his companions, though suffering greatly, never let their thirst for freedom be extinguished.

Liang’s simple, humdrum life in his deceased father’s dilapidated boathouse on the Shezi island takes a totally unexpected turn when he saves a mysterious young woman from drowning. A woman with her own painful past meets a man haunted by nightmares.

In 2023, Elephant Gym was preparing to embark on a world tour—yet the band stood on the brink of breaking up. This documentary chronicles Elephant Gym’s journey, from their formation in 2012 to their recently completed “The World tour,” which spanned 23 countries and 60 shows. As the story progresses, we witness how the band gradually finds balance on tour, while each member confronts personal challenges and the ongoing search for self-worth. Spanning themes from individual growth and group dynamics to the global music industry and the challenges faced by Taiwanese musicians abroad, this documentary aims to portray the many layers of music—from deeply personal expression to its place in the international industry—through the lens of Elephant Gym.