The Receptionist
The Receptionist | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Jenny Lu |
Produced by |
Li Ya-mei Jimmy Huang Chiou Zi-ning Peter J Kirby |
Written by |
Jenny Lu Yeh Yi-wen |
Starring |
Teresa Daley Chen Shiang-chyi |
Music by | Lu Lu-ming |
Cinematography | Gareth Munden |
Edited by | Hoping Chen |
Production companies |
Uncanny Films Dark Horse Image |
Distributed by | Mirror Stage Films (Taiwan) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
Country |
Taiwan United Kingdom |
Language |
Mandarin English Taiwanese |
Budget | £300,000[1] |
Box office | NT$3 million (Taiwan)[2][3] |
The Receptionist (Mandarin: 接線員) is a 2016 drama film directed by London-based Taiwanese director Jenny Lu, starring Teresa Daley and Chen Shiang-chyi. Inspired by a true story, the film follows the lives of Asian migrant women who had arrived in London in hopes of a better life but end up taking jobs in an illegal massage parlor to survive.[4] The film premiered at the Golden Horse Film Festival on 20 November 2016.[5]
Premise
Tina is a Taiwanese graduate living in London with her British student architect boyfriend. Struggling to find work during the 2008 economic crisis, Tina takes a job as a receptionist at an illegal massage parlour. As she slowly gets to know the women who work there, she is forced to question her values and morals.
Cast
- Teresa Daley as Tina
- Chen Shiang-chyi as Sasa
- Amanda Fan as Mei
- Josh Whitehouse as Frank
- Sophie Gopsill as Lily
- Teng Shuang as Anna
Production
The film received funding from Taiwan's Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, as well as through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.[6]
Release
The film has been an official selection at the Edinburgh International Film Festival[7], the Raindance Film Festival[8], the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival[9] the Durban International Film Festival[10], the Milan and Salento Film Festivals and the 40th Asian American International Film Festival in New York City.[11]
Soundtrack
Promotional song
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Real World 真實世界" | Ball, Jie | Ball | 04:19 |
Reception
Critical Response
The Receptionist (Jie Xian Yuan) has received an 88% rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian lauded it as "a valuable, intelligent debut."[12] Elizabeth Kerr in The Hollywood Reporter gave it more mixed reviews.[13]
Accolades
Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
---|---|---|---|
54th Golden Horse Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Chen Shiang-chyi | Nominated |
Milan Film Festival | Best Feature Film | The Receptionist | Nominated |
Salento Film Festival | Best Feature Film | The Receptionist | Nominated |
40th AAIFF | Emerging Director Award | Jenny Lu | Won |
References
- ↑ Sui, Cindy (23 June 2017). "Film exposes London's sex industry underworld". Retrieved 9 July 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
- ↑ "【開眼電影網】接線員 The Receptionist". atmovies.com.tw. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ↑ 三立新聞網. "金馬影后陳湘琪演妓女入戲太深 殺青才知得罪全劇組 - 娛樂 - 三立新聞網 SETN.COM". setn.com. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ↑ "The Receptionist". www.goldenhorse.org.tw. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ↑ "UK-Taiwan co-production 'The Receptionist' wraps shoot". screendaily.com. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ↑ "The Receptionist (Jie Xian Yuan)". www.edfilmfest.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ "The Receptionist". calendar.raindancefestival.org. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ "台北金馬影展 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival | The Receptionist". www.goldenhorse.org.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ "Durban International Film Festival - The Receptionist (Jie Xian Yuan)". Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ (Taiwan), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (2017-07-24). "Three Taiwan works to be screened at New York film festival - Taiwan Today". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (2018-07-20). "The Receptionist review – an intimate voyage into London's underworld". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ↑ "'The Receptionist': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-08-11.