Asep Darmawan
In the competitive landscape of international cinema, few debut features generate as much pre-release industry buzz as Lu Po-Shun’s Will You Still Be My Friend. This poignant Taiwan-Singapore co-production has officially been picked up for international sales by the Paris-based powerhouse Moveria, marking a significant milestone for the project as it prepares to embark on a prestigious festival circuit. The film is slated for a high-profile premiere in the New Directors sidebar at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, followed immediately by a showcase at the Busan International Film Festival, cementing its status as one of the most anticipated Asian dramas of the year.
The Narrative Core: Innocence Under Siege
Set against the backdrop of a rural Taiwanese village, Will You Still Be My Friend is a delicate, heart-wrenching exploration of childhood intimacy and the corrosive nature of adult prejudice. The story centers on two young boys, portrayed with raw vulnerability by Jaden Wang and Aloysius Looi. Their blossoming friendship serves as the film’s emotional anchor, a sanctuary of shared secrets and unspoken understanding that exists in stark contrast to the world around them.
As the plot unfolds, the boys find themselves caught in the crossfire of an escalating feud between their families and the broader rural community. This social tension forces them to navigate a minefield of expectations, as the pressures of their environments threaten to dismantle the fragile world they have built together. The narrative gains further emotional complexity as the protagonist begins to grapple with internal questions regarding his feelings for his companion—a journey of self-discovery that is as private as it is profound.
Beyond the lead performances, the film features a robust ensemble cast, including veteran actors Lung Tien Hsiang and Lu Yi-Ching, alongside Andie Chen, Kate Pang, and Xing Chang. Their collective presence grounds the boys’ ethereal connection in the grit and volatility of a community divided.
A Chronology of Development and Industry Acclaim
The journey of Will You Still Be My Friend from script to screen is a testament to the rigor of the international film market. Long before its upcoming festival berths, the film meticulously cultivated an industry profile, securing support through a series of prestigious workshops and pitching forums.
The project’s trajectory began with its inclusion in the "Ties That Bind" workshop, an initiative designed to foster co-productions between Asia and Europe. This was followed by key presentations at the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion, EFM Far East in Progress, and the "HAF Goes to Cannes" program at the Cannes Film Market. Each of these stops allowed Lu Po-Shun to refine the narrative and attract the necessary co-production partners, effectively signaling to international buyers that the project was a high-priority asset.
For director Lu Po-Shun, this debut feature is the culmination of years of disciplined filmmaking. Lu previously garnered acclaim for his short film Wild Tides, which secured the Best Director prize at the Taipei Film Awards. He further sharpened his directorial voice with his contribution to the 2018 anthology film Ten Years Taiwan—specifically the segment Way Home—which was showcased in the "A Window on Asian Cinema" lineup at Busan. By transitioning into feature-length storytelling, Lu has leveraged this established credibility to craft a film that balances local Taiwanese sentiment with universal themes of identity and longing.
The Production Engine: Powerhouse Collaboration
The film is the result of a synergistic partnership between Taiwan-based InLight Film Studio and Verdant Peak Films. The production team behind the lens brings a wealth of experience to the project, having navigated both the local Taiwanese market and the global festival circuit with precision.
Producers Eric Chou Tseng-Chen and Yu-Hao Su are the architects of this collaboration. Chou brings a strategic mindset to the project, rooted in his extensive background in sales, acquisitions, and festival promotion. His previous work includes co-producing the cult hit Get the Hell Out, which premiered in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020.
Yu-Hao Su provides an equally impressive track record, having produced Shatara Michelle Ford’s Test Pattern, a critically lauded work that earned nominations from both the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Gotham Awards. Su’s portfolio also includes Fragrance of the First Flower and the executive production of Ford’s Dreams in Nightmares, which screened at the Berlinale’s Panorama section. This blend of creative vision and administrative experience has ensured that Will You Still Be My Friend is not only a compelling narrative but a well-positioned commercial entity.
Official Responses and Creative Philosophy
The acquisition of the film by Moveria underscores the distributor’s commitment to finding stories that transcend linguistic and cultural barriers. Yasmin Porangaba, Moveria’s head of sales and acquisition, has been vocal about why the film stood out in a saturated market.
"What I really connected with is the relationship between the two boys," Porangaba remarked. "When they’re alone, everything feels simple, light, and natural. It’s like they have this little world of their own, almost like a secret, because the people around them don’t really get them. Around their families and friends, they have to fit into certain roles, while their time together feels like a space where none of that matters."
Porangaba also emphasized the film’s refusal to categorize its characters, a choice she believes adds to its universal appeal. "I also love that the film never defines what they are to each other. They’re too young to really make sense of it themselves, and I like that the film leaves that open. They know how to be there for each other, forgive each other, and just move forward in a way that feels surprisingly mature. The two boys are amazing together, the film is beautiful, and that’s really what made us want to represent it."
Implications: A New Voice in LGBTQIA+ Cinema
The selection of Will You Still Be My Friend for the Sebastiane Award at San Sebastián places the film at the forefront of the conversation regarding queer representation in contemporary Asian cinema. The Sebastiane Award is one of the most respected honors for films exploring LGBTQIA+ themes, and its inclusion in this category signals that the film is expected to offer a sophisticated, nuanced look at the queer experience.
By exploring the intersection of rural traditionalism and emerging personal identity, Lu Po-Shun’s film challenges the tropes often found in coming-of-age dramas. It does not rely on high-octane melodrama; instead, it finds its power in the quiet moments of transition and the internal conflicts that arise when personal truth clashes with familial duty.
The film’s success also highlights the growing importance of Taiwan-Singapore co-productions. By pooling resources and creative talent from both nations, producers like Chou and Su are effectively expanding the scope of Taiwanese storytelling, proving that local, village-centric narratives can possess a global reach.
As the film moves toward its premiere, the industry will be watching closely to see how global audiences respond to its delicate, non-definitive approach to love and friendship. In an era where cinema is increasingly tasked with reflecting the complexities of the human condition, Will You Still Be My Friend stands as a poignant reminder that some of the most profound stories are found in the unspoken spaces between two people. With its combination of strong production backing, a visionary director, and a narrative that touches on universal themes of belonging, the film is poised to become a significant entry in the 2024–2025 festival cycle.
Sagoh
Nana
