Set in the 1980s when Taiwan was still under martial law, GF*BF charts the experiences of three friends growing up in turbulent times. At the film’s centre is a tender love triangle: Aaron (Rhydian Vaughan) is attracted to Mabel (Lun-Mei Gwei), who has feelings for Liam (Joseph Chang), who is secretly in love with Aaron. The personal and political collide as Mabel, Liam and Aaron join the social revolution that is sweeping across Taiwan, and head to Taipei to fight for democracy. But when the truth about Liam’s feelings for Aaron emerges, the friends’ relationship is tested to its limits. Ya-Che Yang’s drama charts a parallel between Taiwan’s transition to democracy, and the characters’ journey from teenage repression to emotional maturity.

Introduction by Christopher Brown, University of Sussex