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A Dire Strait

  • 2022
  • 21m
IMDb RATING
10.0/10
6
YOUR RATING
A Dire Strait (2022)
ShortThriller

Demi has stayed in bed for weeks due to the Chinese postpartum tradition. Although she tries to be as cooperative as possible, the weeks-long confinement and endless chicken soup push her to... Read allDemi has stayed in bed for weeks due to the Chinese postpartum tradition. Although she tries to be as cooperative as possible, the weeks-long confinement and endless chicken soup push her to her limit.Demi has stayed in bed for weeks due to the Chinese postpartum tradition. Although she tries to be as cooperative as possible, the weeks-long confinement and endless chicken soup push her to her limit.

  • Director
    • Liang-Chun Lin
  • Writer
    • Liang-Chun Lin
  • Stars
    • Lee Chen
    • Willis Chung
    • Christine Liao
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    10.0/10
    6
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Liang-Chun Lin
    • Writer
      • Liang-Chun Lin
    • Stars
      • Lee Chen
      • Willis Chung
      • Christine Liao
    • 2User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos13

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    Top cast4

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    Lee Chen
    Lee Chen
    Willis Chung
    Willis Chung
    Christine Liao
    Jason Wang
    • Director
      • Liang-Chun Lin
    • Writer
      • Liang-Chun Lin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    106
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    Featured reviews

    10wyuxuan-17912

    An unforgettable film

    Recently, my schoolwork and life are quite busy. I finally finished watching this film last weekend and want to write some words.

    This is an impressive work. After reading it, people can not sleep for a long time at night. They still think about the puzzles and problems left by the creators in the plot, and think deeply about the current situation in society and our experience.

    First of all, I would like to thank the director of this film, Lin Liangjun, who allowed me and my mother, who are hundreds of kilometers away, to watch this film at the first time.

    After watching the film, my biggest feeling is - "truth", which really makes people angry, really makes people afraid, really makes people tremble, and really makes people reflect. From the beginning of the film, the heroine's oily hair, sad eyes, dull but hopeful eyes, and the way she chews hamburgers hard but carefully all make me feel sad. With the continuous broadcast of the film, the metaphors and shooting techniques of various scenes and the arrangement of every line make people feel the same way. It seems that I am the woman imprisoned in the so-called "family". I love my children and I want to love my family, but I have to endure the abnormal love from "mother".

    People say that documentaries are the eyes of life, insight into the details of life, and really at some moments even make people want to refuse, choose to avoid talking about these "traditions", and regard him as the normal life. Few people pay attention to this group, and few people have the courage to shoot it. Even fewer people can show this film. This is undoubtedly great, brave and moving.

    In a word, a good work often makes people feel "heart beating" in every detail. As May the world be better.
    10mvw-96901

    A clash of two cultures, a drama masquerade in comedy, The Dire Strait delivers a powerhouse message in a small package

    A clash of two cultures, a drama masquerade in comedy, The Dire Strait delivers a powerhouse message in a small package.

    The Dire Strait centers around the Taiwanese practice of "zuo yue zi" (Chinese for sitting the month), a common postpartum formality women follow after giving birth. This cultural practice is exhibited both humorously with dramatic suspense by the new Americanized mother being forced to follow the Taiwanese procedures of "zuo yue zi '' by her strict traditional in-laws.

    The Dire Strait reaches audiences who are unfamiliar with foreign culture by utilizing the dichotomy of the Americanized mother and traditional in-laws and evoking the struggles of both sides. The film also paints the Taiwanese cultural aspects of "zuo yue zi" in a dark caricature. Audience members who are Taiwanese born Americans, such as myself, can relate to the struggles of living life in America with a unique cultural background. The film also shows themes that are relatable for all viewers such as a struggle with your in-laws and the after effects of giving birth.

    This film has surprising elements of suspense, dark undertones, and occasional humor while simultaneously exploring the cultural collision between traditional and modern life.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 12, 2022 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Taiwan
    • Official site
      • Web page from director's website
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $21,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      21 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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