Fri, 24 Apr 2026
After three years of pandemic, Nian’s mother, Ling, returns to Taiwan with a cancer diagnosis. Her passing brings Nian’s traditional grandmother, Hao, into their home, shared with Nian’s hidden partner from Tailand, Zai-zai. As old secrets emerge—including Ling’s past love in China and Zai’s daughter in Thailand—tensions rise, and Zai leaves, leaving Nian feeling everything slipping away. Unexpectedly, Grandma Hao becomes a source of quiet support, guiding Nian through grief and the fragile work of healing. Through their shared time, Nian begins to understand that connection isn’t about proximity; love persists even when distance is unavoidable.
Director and writer Chang Chun-yu draws inspiration from the natural phenomenon of “crown shyness,” in which tree canopies do not touch yet remain interconnected through their roots. In the same way, Crown Shyness portrays three generations of women, each living their own lives but still intimately linked, navigating family, love, and identity. Against the backdrop of social distancing and the lingering impact of the pandemic, the film explores intimacy, belonging, and the subtle ways people sustain each other across space and time.
CHANG CHUN-YU
Chang Chun-yu is a screenwriter and director, and an alumna of the Taipei National University of the Arts. Her graduation short Unnamed (2019) premiered at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and has since garnered numerous international laurels. Her latest feature film Crown Shyness (2024) received a total of eight nominations at Taiwan’s most prestigious Golden Bell Awards in 2025, and ultimately won the major honor of Best Television Film.
Taiwan 2024
80 Min | Color | Chinese, Minnan and Thai with English subtitles
Directed by CHANG Chun-yu
Screenplay CHANG Chun-yu
Cinematography Amber HSIAO Yi-fan
Editing CHANG Chun-yu, CHEN Shao-chun
Sound KANG Allen
With HAN Ning, WU Pi-lien, CHANG Chang-mien, UDOMVORAKULCHAI Varita, HUANG Ke-xin
World sales Public Television Service
Text- and Photocredit: RED LOTUS Film Festival Vienna
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