The Free Man
Quah Boon-lip
Malaysia / Col / 29' 30" / In Minnan and Mandarin with English subtitles
Upon being released on parole, A-Jie works in a laundry store. All he hopes for is to wash away his wrongdoings as he washes off the stains. However, he accidentally sees something, and this unspeakable secret eventually spins everything out of control…
Artist's Statement
“What light is to the eyes - what air is to the lungs - what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.” - Robert Green Ingersoll
This film is inspired by the youngest death row of Taiwan: Tang Ying-Shen, an aboriginal young man who was sentenced to death at the age of 18. He killed the laundry store owner and two other people after he was inhumanely mistreated by them.
If this young man was not executed, how would he cope with his new life after his release? The idea became the inspiration of this film. We also want to further discuss the situation rehabilitated people would need to face when they try to fit into society again. The yearning of freedom is even stronger for people who have lost their freedom.
