Hsiao Ya-Chuan’s drama film, ‘Old Fox’ has been selected to represent Taiwan in the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.

Inspired by the director’s perplexities from his childhood, “Old Fox” is set in Taiwan in 1989, a time when the stock market soared to record highs, exacerbating the gap between the rich and the poor. The film artistically recreates the atmosphere of 1980s Taiwan and portrays the challenges of humanity.

The film had its world premiere at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and was theatrically released in Taiwan on November 24, 2023.

The film has been recognized for its narrative and aesthetics, winning Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Makeup & Costume Design, and Best Original Film Score at the 2023 Golden Horse Awards. Additionally, it received awards for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup & Costume Design at the 2024 Taipei Film Festival. 

Brian Hioe in a Cinema Escapist review wrote about the film, “Old Fox is a masterful film that rarely misses a beat. On top of its cast’s strong acting and an evocative depiction of 1980s Taiwan, Old Fox shines for its depiction of socioeconomic inequality through the eyes of a child.”

The Oscar International Feature shortlist will be announced on December 17th, and the final five nominees will be announced on January 17th, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony (the Oscars®) takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday March 3rd, 2025.