Taipei: For director Huang Xi, known for his ability to tell personal stories, the latest film "Daughter's Daughter" marks a significant shift towards more emotionally charged narratives. The film, featuring veteran actress Sylvia Chang, delves into the intricacies of human emotions, a rarity in contemporary cinema.According to Focus Taiwan, Huang's new film sets a melancholic tone from its opening scenes, notably with a haunting shot of Chang's character, Jin Aixia, walking alone on the New Jersey Turnpike. This scene foreshadows the unfolding tragedy as Jin, a divorced mother in her 60s, faces the heart-wrenching task of identifying her youngest daughter's body following a fatal traffic accident.Jin is left with a challenging decision regarding a frozen embryo created through IVF by her late daughter, Fan Zuer. As the legal guardian, she must choose whether to keep it frozen, donate it, find a surrogate, or terminate it. This tragedy also prompts Jin to reflect on her estranged relationship with her fir st daughter, whom she gave up for adoption.Huang praised the cast, especially Sylvia Chang, for their nuanced performances, which are pivotal in conveying the film's complex emotions. Chang's portrayal earned her a Golden Horse Award nomination for best actress, and her performance required several edits to capture its full impact on-screen.Notably, Chang also served as an executive producer alongside director Hou Hsiao-hsien. Her involvement extended beyond acting, as she frequently critiqued the script, urging Huang to remove overly sentimental scenes despite the film's tragic theme. This collaborative effort led to significant refinements in the storyline.Huang acknowledged Chang's insights, stating that her perspective on the character of Jin Aixia, being older and wiser, brought depth that only an actor could deliver. He described "Daughter's Daughter" as a story about life, aiming to provide audiences with courage to face life's myriad challenges.The film has garnered five Golden Horse Award nom inations, including best leading actress and best original screenplay. "Daughter's Daughter" is set to premiere in theaters on Nov. 22.