Synopsis: But First, Coffee (2021) is an award-winning short film by Taiwanese director Philip W. Shih, known for his work in Battle for Skyark (2015) and Reaper (2014). The film explores Taiwanese coffee through different generations, bringing out the emotions that connect people in Taiwan to their daily cup of coffee. The film, created as part of the Taiwan Government’s initiative to promote the domestic coffee industry, also reflects coffee’s growing popularity since its introduction to Taiwan during the period of Japanese occupation (1895-1945).
Brewed memories
In the film, Mr. Fujii, an elderly Japanese man, returns to Taiwan, his birthplace, in search of the perfect cup of coffee. His journey is driven by the memory of a woman with whom he shared his first cup—a memory steeped in nostalgia and remnants of first love. Accompanied by his granddaughter, Natsuyuki, the pair meet Yulin, a local barista deeply committed to his craft. Yulin's passion for coffee is rooted in both tradition and innovation. After the passing of his grandmother, with whom Yulin shared his first cup of coffee, he left Taiwan to study Japanese techniques before returning to Taiwan to apply new technologies to enhance the flavour of each brew.
Yulin's father always envisioned him inheriting the family's coffee estate and continuing to cultivate the finest coffee beans using traditional, time-honoured methods. However, Yulin seeks his father’s approval for his modern ideas, believing in the power of live streaming and online marketing to promote Taiwan’s coffee. The conflict between father and son is a nod to the younger generation’s desire for parental approval in many East Asian societies. While helping Natsuyuki and Mr. Fujii find the perfect cup of coffee, Yulin starts to realize that good coffee is not only about sophisticated techniques but also the care and love for the people who grow and drink it. He eventually helps Mr. Fujii find his long-sought cup of coffee by making his first cup with the love and care he once experienced from his grandmother—the woman Mr. Fujii had been searching for all along.
The best cup of coffee
But First, Coffee is a reminder that coffee’s essence lies not only in the taste but in the connections it fosters. Through a simple yet powerful narrative, the film beautifully captures the spirit of sharing in Taiwanese culture, emphasizing that coffee’s true richness is found in the people with whom it is shared. The director skillfully uses this search for ‘the best cup’ as a metaphor for the bonds that make simple moments unforgettable.
The film also highlights Taiwan, a region with a strong tea tradition, embracing modern coffee culture while crafting its own distinct coffee identity. It hints at the broader cultural transformation that has occurred since Japanese colonization. Director Shih masterfully weaves these cultural threads together, offering a portrayal of Taiwan’s evolving identity while promoting the rich heritage of its coffee.
About Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival
The Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival (TWFF) is an annual non-profit art and culture initiative started in 2007. It has become the largest film festival focusing on Taiwanese cinema in North America.
Over the past 16 years, TWFF has showcased more than 100 Taiwanese films and invited many filmmakers and directors to Vancouver, creating a bridge connecting the art of Taiwanese films with Canadian moviegoers.
