Three Times (2005)
Hou Hsiao-hsien's luminous triptych traces love across three eras of Taiwan, with Shu Qi and Chang Chen in all three stories.
Three Times - Movie Information
- Original Title: 最好的時光
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Hou Hsiao-hsien
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Romance, Drama
- Runtime: 2h 10m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 27, 2005 (Hong Kong), February 14, 2007 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 最好的時光 (TW), Three Times (FR), 最好的時光 (NL), Три времени (RU), 最好的时光 (CN), 쓰리 타임즈 (KR), 最好的时光 (SG)
- Production Companies: Sino Movie, 3-H Films, Orly Films, Paradis Films
- Production Countries: Taiwan, France
Three Times - Plot
In three separate segments, set respectively in 1966, 1911, and 2005, three love stories unfold between three sets of characters, under three different periods of Taiwanese history and governance.
Three Times - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Hou Hsiao-hsien's triptych of love come to life:
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Three Times - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hou Hsiao-hsien
Main Cast
- Shu Qi
- Chang Chen
- Su-jen Liao
- Mei Di
- Chen Shi-Zheng
- Lee Pei-Hsuan
- Mei Fang
- Lawrence Ko Yu-Luen
- Wang Chih-Cheng
Writers
- Chu Tien-Wen
- Hou Hsiao-hsien
Producers
- Liao Ching-Sung
- Chang Hua-Fu
- Huang Wen-Ying
Three Times - FAQs
What is Three Times about?
Three Times weaves together three separate love stories, each set in a different era of Taiwanese history: 1966, 1911, and 2005. Shu Qi and Chang Chen play the central couple in all three segments, exploring desire, longing, and connection across radically different social and political landscapes.
Why does the 1911 segment have no dialogue?
Hou Hsiao-hsien deliberately styled the 1911 segment as a silent film, complete with intertitles, to evoke the aesthetic of early cinema. It's a bold, poetic choice that mirrors the repressed emotions of the era, where feelings could not be spoken aloud and had to be communicated through glances and gestures.
Who are the main actors in Three Times?
Shu Qi and Chang Chen lead the entire film, each playing different characters across all three segments. Their chemistry anchors the triptych beautifully. The supporting cast includes Su-jen Liao, Mei Di, Chen Shi-Zheng, Lee Pei-Hsuan, Mei Fang, Lawrence Ko Yu-Luen, and Wang Chih-Cheng.
Which of the three segments is considered the best?
The 1966 segment, “A Time for Love,” is widely regarded as the film's most celebrated chapter. Set in a pool hall, it captures a gentle, wordless romance with extraordinary tenderness. Critics and audiences alike have praised it as one of Hou Hsiao-hsien's finest achievements and a masterpiece of restrained filmmaking.
Who directed Three Times?
Three Times was directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, one of Taiwan's most celebrated filmmakers and a towering figure in world cinema. Known for his contemplative style and long takes, Hou brings an extraordinary visual patience to all three segments of this anthology.
When was Three Times released?
Three Times had its initial release on October 27, 2005, in Hong Kong. It later opened in South Korea on February 14, 2007, with a 15 rating. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.
How was Three Times received by critics?
Three Times earned widespread critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers hailing it as a late-career masterwork from Hou Hsiao-hsien. Critics praised its visual elegance, the luminous performances of Shu Qi and Chang Chen, and its deeply felt meditation on time, memory, and romantic longing across Taiwanese history.
What are some films similar to Three Times?
If Three Times resonated with you, you might enjoy Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021), Jules and Jim (1962), or Last Summer (2021). Fans of anthology-style romance and arthouse cinema may also appreciate Tell Me Softly (2025), Tune in for Love (2019), and M. Butterfly (1993).
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