Three Times Hou Hsiao Hsien [patched] Jun 2026

Lastly, 'The Puppetmaster' (1993) cements Hou's reputation as a cinematic poet. Based on the life of Li Pi-Hua, a renowned Taiwanese puppeteer, the film deconstructs the boundaries between reality and performance. Rich in texture and visual metaphor, 'The Puppetmaster' won the 1994 Best Director award at Cannes.

Hou’s direction relies heavily on the long take, deep focus, and an observational distance. Rather than cutting to close-ups to force emotional cues, he allows scenes to play out in wide, meticulously arranged frames. This forces viewers to actively engage with the environment, the lighting, and the space the characters inhabit. three times hou hsiao hsien

That melody is the ghost that connects all three stories. It is the sound of —an island that has been colonized, militarized, modernized, and forgotten. The melody says: We were once here. We touched. We left. Hou’s direction relies heavily on the long take,