WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
aka NI NEIBIAN JIDIAN

Year: 2001
USA: Winstar Cinema
UK: ICA Projects
Cast: Lee Kang-Sheng, Chen Shiang-chyi, Lu Yi-Ching, Maio Tien, Chen Chao-jung, Cecilia Yip, Jean-Pierre Leaud
Director: Tsai Ming-Liang
Countries: Taiwan / France
Languages: Cantonese / French / Mandarin (English subtitles)
USA & UK: 116 mins
USA Release Date: 11 January 2002 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 21 June 2002 (Limited Release - London)

Synopsis

A wonderful elegy to the loss of loved ones and a wry look at life as a stranger in a strange land which confirms Tsai Ming-Liang as a talent to rank alongside the likes of Edward Yang (A ONE AND A TWO).

In the days after the death of his father, Taipei watch seller Hsaio-Kang becomes haunted by a brief encounter with a young woman about to leave for Paris. Hsaio-Kang systematically adjusts all clocks to French time, causing his mother to believe that her husband's spirit has returned. Meanwhile in Paris the young woman confronts events mysteriously connected with home, including an encounter with Jean-Pierre Leaud as in Taipei the watch seller watches a bootleg tape of The 400 Blows.

With cinematography by Benoit Delhomme (THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA, CYCLO) and the art design of Yip Kam Tim (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON), the film looks superb and once again reunites Tsai Ming-Liang with his repertory of actors from THE RIVER, THE HOLE, VIVE L'AMOUR and REBELS OF THE NEON GOD.