Mrs. Catfish
Director:Huang Chi Yung
Screenwriter:Bernd Chen
Cast:Phoebe Huang, Ray Chang, Jerry Liu
Producer:Lee Yu Pei
Cinematographer:Eric Chao
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Language:Mandarin Chinese
Production Company: TEAMWORK ENTERTAINMENT CO.
SYNOPSIS
Single mother Qiao-Hui tries to understand her gay son Jia-Hao by downloading a gay dating app in a whimsical attempt. She disguises herself as a handsome colleague to get closer and chat with him, putting in great effort to uncover the truth behind her son’s sudden change in behavior.
Director Biography
Born in the 1990s in Taipei, Taiwan, currently a commercial director. The short film Life of Lai was nominated for Best Narrative Short at the 2021 Golden Harvest Awards, selected for the 2021 FIRST International Film Festival in Xining and the Kaohsiung Film Festival, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 MOD Microfilm Competition. Another short film, Mrs.Catfish, was nominated for the 2025 FIRST International Film Festival in Xining. Blends comedy with suspense, influenced by Jia Zhangke and Takeshi Kitano.
Director's Statement
When I first discussed this story with the screenwriter, Bernd CHEN, the image of a mother and son chatting through a dating app struck me deeply. In an era saturated with digital information, even the relationship between a parent and child seems to require dating apps as a medium for connection—something both absurd and poignant. Through the character of Monther, a single mother with a successful career, we explore how people in today’s society often lack the opportunity to truly confront their inner selves. Social norms and responsibilities offer countless excuses to proclaim, “I can’t live the life I want because…” — surrendering to fate even before making a choice. Mrs. Catfish begins with a queer narrative, but beneath its surface, it invites the audience to reflect on the broader question of self-identity. It’s not only about acceptance of one’s sexual orientation, but also about learning to love oneself before being able to love others—embracing life as it is, and all that it holds.




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