Cannot Live Without You

Cannot Live Without You (Chinese: 不能没有你) is a 2009 Taiwanese film directed by Leon Dai, a professional Taiwanese actor. It was his second film as a director. This film was also selected as the official entry for 82nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Dai also acted as the co-screenwriter and editor of the film.

Cannot Live Without You
Taiwan movie poster
Directed byLeon Dai
Written byLeon Dai
Akira Chen
Produced byAkira Chen
StarringChao Yo Hsuan
Akira Chen
Lin Chih-Ju
CinematographyChang Hsiang-yu
Chou Yi-wen
Edited byLeon Dai
Release dates
  • April 18, 2009 (2009-04-18) (CPHPIX Film Festival)
  • August 14, 2009 (2009-08-14) (Taiwan)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryTaiwan
LanguagesHakka, Taiwanese, Mandarin

Cannot Live Without You was filmed entirely in black and white in digital format, then transferred to film for distribution. The film has a somewhat unconventional structure, beginning at the halfway point. It is based on a true story.

Plot

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The story concerns a poor Hakka dock worker Li Wu Hsiung fighting to reclaim the custody of his seven-year-old girl. Unsuccessful and clinging to the faithful daughter, he threatens to jump off a bridge.

As the film progresses, Li (played by the movie's co-screenwriter and first-time actor Akira Chen) gets embroiled in bureaucratic red tape and does all he can to get his daughter back from government institutional care.

Awards and nominations

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46th Golden Horse Awards

  • Won: Best Film[1][2]
  • Won: Best Director (Leon Dai)[2]
  • Won: Best Original Screenplay (Leon Dai and Akira Chen)[2]
  • Won: The Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year[2]
  • Nominated: Best Actor (Akira Chen)
  • Nominated: Best New Performer (Akira Chen)
  • Nominated: Best Art Direction (HuaTa-Hua)
  • Nominated: Best Editing (Leon Dai)

Asia-Pacific Film Festival

  • Won: Best Director (Leon Dai)
  • Won: Best cinematography (Chang Hsiang-yi)

Macau International Movie Festival

  • Won: Best Film

40th International Film Festival of India

Durban International Film Festival

  • Won: Best Feature Film

Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema

  • Won: Best Film

References

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  1. ^ "Taiwanese tear-jerker wins Golden Horse award". BBC News. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Golden Horse Awards 2009 - Winners". Alt Film Guide.
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