MR. TIGER

It is adapted from the novel by Taiwanese writer Wu Ming-yi. A tiger hides in the city. A-niu strives to find the tiger a home and eventually transforms into a tiger.

A-niu, an immigrant from Southeast Asia, naturalizes in Taiwan to take care of a circus and joins the military. During the Chinese New Year break, he is punished with restricted leave and has to perform the lion dance to earn extra money for a celebration banquet, all while receiving bad news from home. Helpless, A-niu diligently learns the lion dance and offers prayers.

Time passes, and A-niu stands atop a pickup truck, protesting as he delivers a speech with his thick accent. Though the audience below may not fully understand him, they still cheer along. Yet, a faint growl of a tiger emerges from behind, a feeble sound devoid of strength.

One day, the tiger finally sees daylight but remains confined in a cage. This time, however, it is hung upside down and bound to nearby iron pillars. A-niu’s voice reaches its ears: ‘Remember where home is. When you see humans, run.