Watch Your Name Engraved Herein

Your Name Engraved Herein is a 2020 Taiwanese film that tells the story of two teenage boys who fall in love against a backdrop of political and social upheaval in Taiwan. Directed by Patrick Liu, the film stars Edward Chen as Jia-Han, a new student at an all-boys Catholic school, and Tseng Jing-Hua as Birdy, a rebellious schoolmate who captures Jia-Han's heart.

Set in the 1980s, the film explores the tension between Taiwan's authoritarian government and its pro-democracy activists. Against this backdrop, Jia-Han and Birdy navigate their own personal struggles as they come to terms with their feelings for each other.

The film opens with Jia-Han arriving at the Catholic school, where he quickly establishes himself as a model student. He excels at academics, sports, and music, and is praised by his teachers and fellow students. However, he is also a closeted gay teenager who struggles to reconcile his feelings for Birdy with the homophobia and prejudice he encounters at school and in society at large.

Birdy, on the other hand, is a rebellious and charismatic student who resents the school's strict rules and conservative values. He is openly gay and unapologetic about his sexuality, which often puts him at odds with the school administration and some of his more conservative classmates.

Despite their differences, Jia-Han and Birdy are drawn to each other and soon become close friends. They bond over their shared love of music and spend countless hours in the school's music room playing guitar and singing together. As they grow closer, their relationship becomes more intense, and they struggle to keep their feelings for each other hidden from their classmates and teachers.

As Jia-Han and Birdy's relationship deepens, they are forced to confront the challenges and dangers of being gay in Taiwan during the 1980s. They witness firsthand the violence and persecution faced by other members of the LGBT community, and they must decide whether to hide their love or risk everything to be together.

Your Name Engraved Herein is a poignant and beautifully shot film that explores themes of love, identity, and social justice. The film's stunning visuals and haunting music create a powerful and immersive atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the world of the characters and their struggles.

The performances by the film's lead actors are phenomenal, with Edward Chen and Tseng Jing-Hua delivering nuanced and deeply emotional performances that bring their characters to life. Both actors capture the pain, joy, and complexity of being a gay teenager in Taiwan during the 1980s, conveying a sense of longing and desire that is palpable on screen.

The film also features strong supporting performances, particularly from Leon Dai as Brother Cai, the school's head teacher who struggles with his own feelings of guilt and shame over his past actions. Dai brings a sense of gravitas and depth to his role, portraying a complex and conflicted character with compassion and sensitivity.

Overall, Your Name Engraved Herein is a powerful and moving film that explores the struggles and triumphs of being gay in Taiwan during a time of political and social upheaval. With its gorgeous cinematography, stunning performances, and richly layered narrative, the film is a must-see for anyone interested in LGBT cinema or Taiwanese history.

Your Name Engraved Herein is a 2020 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.