Nine key figures in the search for Xiao Mei – nine movie scenes and attractions

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots House / Photos by Top-Notch Entertainment

"Xiao Mei" is the first feature-length film by emerging advertising director Huang Rongfeng. It was not only shortlisted for the "Forum" section at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival, but also selected as the opening film of the 42nd Hong Kong International Film Festival. It received dual nominations for the "Taipei Film Awards" and the "International New Talent Competition," and was further nominated for three Golden Horse Awards this year in the categories of Best Cinematography, Original Music, and Original Song. It is also the latest producing effort by award-winning director Chung Mong-hong following "The Great Buddha+".

"Xiao Mei" features a cast of many well-known Taiwanese actors from both the new and mid-generations, including Yin Hsin, who just won the Best Actress award at the Taipei Film Awards, Ke Shuqin, who has been nominated multiple times for the Best Actress Golden Bell Award, along with Chen Yiwen, Nado, Chang Shaohuai, Wu Jianhe, Liu Guanting, and newcomer Rao Xingxing. Their dedicated performances allow the audience, through tracking the movements of the nine main characters, to glimpse Xiao Mei’s whereabouts and explore the confusion and helplessness of today’s youth toward life.

 

The behind-the-scenes crew of "Xiao Mei" are also highly accomplished. For example, Chung Mong-hong, producer of "The Great Buddha+," served as producer, with cinematography by Nakashima Nagao, sound design by Du Du-zhi, Wu Shuyao, art direction by Liao Guohui, and editing by Lai Xiuxiong — all top-tier professionals.

The film’s scenes are uniquely shot, transforming Taiwan’s everyday landscapes into something fantastical yet profound, highlighting the exploration of modern people's bewilderment and alienation. Amidst the chaos lies a unique desolation and beauty. The nine main filming locations are as follows:

 
Wufenpu

In the movie "Xiao Mei," Xiao Mei once worked at a clothing store in Wufenpu.
 
Wufenpu is located south of Songshan Railway Station. During the Qing Dynasty, it was an area inhabited by the Pingpu indigenous people of Taiwan. Later, it was purchased and cultivated by five families — He, Zhou, Shen, Du, and Li — from the Pingpu people, who named the settlement Wufenpu. It is now a very famous hub for apparel wholesale, where clothing stores from all over Taiwan come to source garments. It was once one of Taiwan’s highest tax-generating areas and a renowned fashion distribution center.

Minsheng Community

In the movie "Xiao Mei," Xiao Mei’s boyfriend is a motorcycle deliveryman who frequently rides through the streets. The main delivery scenes in the film were shot in Minsheng Community.
 
Minsheng Community is located in Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It was developed in the 1960s under the initiative of the Taipei City Government and boasts comprehensive living facilities and a pleasant environment. Nowadays, many young people choose to start businesses in Minsheng Community, where there are numerous unique shops and cafés.