Tigertail

About Tigertail

Tigertail is a 2020 drama film written and directed by Alan Yang. The movie tells the story of a Taiwanese factory worker named Pin-Jui who leaves his homeland to seek a better life in America, ultimately sacrificing love and happiness in the process. Through a series of flashbacks, the film explores Pin-Jui's journey from a young man filled with hopes and dreams to an older man plagued by regret and nostalgia. Tigertail is a heartfelt exploration of the immigrant experience, family ties, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Tigertail follows the story of Pin-Jui, a young man growing up in Taiwan in the 1950s. He falls in love with a girl named Yuan, but their relationship is complicated by his ambitions to leave Taiwan in search of a better life in America. Pin-Jui ultimately decides to leave Yuan behind, promising to send for her once he has established himself in the United States. In present-day America, Pin-Jui is now an elderly man living a lonely and regretful life. Through a series of flashbacks, the audience learns about Pin-Jui's struggles as an immigrant and the sacrifices he made to provide for his family. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of the immigrant experience, showcasing the impact of Pin-Jui's choices on his relationships and personal happiness.

Making / Production

Tigertail is a deeply personal film for writer-director Alan Yang, who drew inspiration from his own family's immigration story. Yang wanted to explore the challenges faced by immigrants and the impact their choices have on their loved ones. The film was produced by Netflix and released on the streaming platform in April 2020.

Actors

• Tzi Ma as Pin-Jui: Tzi Ma portrays the protagonist, Pin-Jui, at different stages of his life. He captures the character's struggles and emotional depth with authenticity.
• Fiona Fu as Yuan: Fiona Fu plays Yuan, Pin-Jui's love interest. She brings a sense of innocence and vulnerability to the character.
• Christine Ko as Angela: Christine Ko portrays Angela, Pin-Jui's daughter. She adds depth to the character and explores the complexities of her relationship with her father.
• Joan Chen as Zhenzhen: Joan Chen plays Zhenzhen, Pin-Jui's wife. She delivers a nuanced performance, showcasing the sacrifices she made as an immigrant.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Tigertail marks Alan Yang's directorial debut for a feature film.
• The film was inspired by Alan Yang's own father's experiences as an immigrant from Taiwan.
• The title "Tigertail" refers to a childhood memory of Pin-Jui and symbolizes his longing for his homeland.
• Alan Yang was also a writer and producer for the hit television series "Master of None," which explores similar themes of identity and immigrant experiences.

Awards

No major awards have been won by Tigertail as of now.

Quotes

• "Sometimes, I dream that I am back in Taiwan. But nothing looks right. I dream that I'm back but I can't go back." - Pin-Jui
• "In my heart, I know I'm still a young man. But my body, it is telling me something different." - Pin-Jui
• "I got real savings now, man. I finished paying them off. My children." - Pin-Jui

Music

The score for Tigertail was composed by Amie Doherty. The music enhances the emotional impact of the film, capturing both the nostalgia and the moments of hope and despair experienced by the characters.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Tigertail features a collection of songs that complement the film's themes and emotional arcs. Some notable songs from the soundtrack include:

• "Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon & Garfunkel
• "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Warrant
• "The World" by Pat Metheny

This concludes the comprehensive overview of the drama film Tigertail.