The Waves Will Carry Us

Best Narrative Feature, Best Director nominations, 2025 Golden Horse Awards
Official Selection, 2025 Hawaii International Film Festival

After living in Taiwan for many years, Yao returns to Malaysia after the unexpected death of his grifter father. To the surprise of him and his siblings, the religious police claim their father’s body, alleging that he had converted to Islam before he passed and that his body needs to be buried in a Muslim cemetery. The siblings refuse to accept it and try bribery and even graverobbing. But the truth lies in family secrets they’ve chosen to turn their backs to.

The real story lies in the chains of migration that run deep in the Lau family. As the film jumps from present day to generations before, we discover a family’s long history of seeking new opportunities across oceans and borders. Their destinations always seem to be places indifferent to their survival. No matter how many displays of patriotism or assimilation, they are always marked as others. What is revealed with each flashback is how deep the roots run. The tensile strength of these generational bonds may not land the Laus in luxury, but allows them the flexibility to redefine themselves anew.

– Laura Skokan

All films in the Taiwan Film Showcase (excluding screenings at Ultrastar Cinemas) are FREE for UCSD students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID.