Tigertail is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Alan Yang, based on his own family history. The film tells the story of Pin-Jui, a Taiwanese factory worker who marries his boss's daughter, Zhenzhen, to secure a better future. However, he still yearns for his lost love, Yuan, who he left behind in a small village in Taiwan.
The film is set in the present day, with Pin-Jui now a retired man living alone in New York City. He regrets the decisions he made in his younger days, including leaving his family behind to chase the American Dream. Meanwhile, his daughter, Angela, has grown up in America feeling distant from her father. When Pin-Jui's mother becomes ill, he decides to travel back to Taiwan and reconnect with his past.
The film is told through a series of flashbacks, tracing Pin-Jui's journey from a young boy in Taiwan to his present-day struggles with isolation and regret. The film explores themes of immigration, family, and lost love, as well as the generational divide between immigrant parents and their American-born children.
The film stars Tzi Ma as Pin-Jui, alongside Christine Ko, Hong-Chi Lee, and Yo-Hsing Fang. Tigertail received positive reviews from critics, particularly for its emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of immigrant experiences.
