About this episode

John and Jason discuss the Taiwanese film Yi Yi, exploring themes of existential alienation and family dynamics in modernity.

In this episode of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, John and Jason talk about arguably the best Taiwanese film ever made, Edward Yang's Yi Yi. While tackling existential alienation of in the face of modernity, the film explores the complex dynamics of a 21st century family, their screw ups, past regrets, and above all, their need for connection. Website: https://www.heroic-purgatory.com/2026/05/s6e4-yi-yi-2000.html Follow the show on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heroicpurgatory.bsky.social Follow Jason: https://bsky.app/profile/filmnohito.bsky.socia Follow John: https://bsky.app/profile/jmhimara.bsky.social

People in this episode

Hosts: John Atom, Jason Maher

Topics covered

• Taiwanese cinema
• existentialism
• family dynamics
• modernity
• connection

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Yi Yi

Places: Taiwan

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• S6E1 - Seven Samurai (1954) · March 30, 2026 · 1h 37m
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• Award Special - No Other Choice (2025) · January 15, 2026 · 1h 60m
• Xmas Special - They Live (1988) · December 21, 2025 · 1h 54m

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