2016 Taiwanese film
The Receptionist |
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Theatrical release poster |
Directed by | Jenny Lu |
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Written by | Jenny Lu Yeh Yi-wen |
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Produced by | Li Ya-mei Jimmy Huang Chiou Zi-ning Peter J Kirby |
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Starring | Teresa Daley Chen Shiang-chyi |
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Cinematography | Gareth Munden |
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Edited by | Hoping Chen |
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Music by | Luming Lu |
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Production companies | Uncanny Films Dark Horse Image |
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Distributed by | Mirror Stage Films (Taiwan) |
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Release dates | |
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Running time | 100 minutes |
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Countries | Taiwan United Kingdom |
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Languages | Mandarin English Taiwanese |
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Budget | £300,000[1] |
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Box office | NT$3 million (Taiwan)[2][3] |
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The Receptionist (Chinese: 接線員) is a 2016 drama film directed by London-based Taiwanese director Jenny Lu, starring Teresa Daley and Chen Shiang-chyi. Inspired by a true story, the film follows the lives of Asian migrant women who had arrived in London in hopes of a better life but end up taking jobs in an illegal massage parlor to survive.[4] The film premiered at the Golden Horse Film Festival on 20 November 2016.[5]
Premise
Tina is a Taiwanese graduate living in London with her British student architect boyfriend. Struggling to find work during the financial crisis of 2007–2008, Tina takes a job as a receptionist at an illegal massage parlour. As she slowly gets to know the women who work there, she is forced to question her values and morals.
Cast
- Teresa Daley as Tina
- Chen Shiang-chyi as Sasa
- Amanda Fan as Mei
- Josh Whitehouse as Frank
- Sophie Gopsill as Lily
- Teng Shuang as Anna
Production
The film received funding from Taiwan's Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, as well as through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.[6]
Release
The film has been an official selection at the Edinburgh International Film Festival,[7] the Raindance Film Festival,[8] the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival[9] the Durban International Film Festival,[10] the Milan and Salento Film Festivals and the 40th Asian American International Film Festival in New York City.[11]
Soundtrack
Title | Writer(s) | Performer |
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1. | "The Real World 真實世界" | Ball, Jie | Ball | 04:19 |
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Reception
Critical response
The Receptionist (Jie Xian Yuan) has received an 88% rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian lauded it as "a valuable, intelligent debut."[12] Elizabeth Kerr in The Hollywood Reporter gave it more mixed reviews.[13]
Accolades
References
External links