The Taiwanese comedy ‘How Can My Ancestor Be Your Ghost?’ offers a unique blend of indigenous folklore, mountain legends, and slapstick humor. Directed by Su Da, the film stars Japanese sensation Naomi Watanabe as Juliet, a global superstar returning to Taiwan to trace her roots. The cast includes Liu Yihao, Huang Jingyi, Sakinu, and Vivian Hsu. Previews are scheduled for September 25-27 in Hong Kong during the Mid-Autumn Festival, with a wide release on October 1.
Costume Design as Cultural Fusion
Watanabe’s character makes a bold entrance in a dress crafted from red-white-blue plastic bags, a common sight in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Costume designer Song Guanyi created the outfit to reflect local identity while highlighting Juliet’s star power. Japanese netizens have dubbed the bag ‘Taiwan LV,’ and the costume adds visual humor as Watanabe walks through forests as if on a red carpet. In one scene, she gets slightly stuck in the outfit but still maintains her celebrity poise, enhancing the comedy. Director Su Da praised the design as ‘amazing,’ noting that it efficiently conveys character details and supports the film’s comedic rhythm.
Actors Take on Formidable Roles
Liu Yihao sheds his heartthrob image to play Xiao Luo, Juliet’s beleaguered manager who endures constant screaming fits. His role requires speaking almost entirely in Japanese, a language Liu studied only briefly. He described the process as challenging, requiring intense memorization for natural delivery while maintaining emotional depth. ‘Acting in a foreign language is a whole new world,’ Liu said. ‘I had to push myself to speak naturally in every scene.’
Huang Jingyi takes on a dual role, including a ghost character. She initially doubted her comedic skills but committed to the challenge. The ghost’s tongue-twisting and illogical lines demanded a completely blank expression. ‘Reading the script off-set made everyone laugh, but when filming started, I had to become the ghost completely,’ she explained. Her performance balances humor with supernatural elements.
Cultural Resonance and Entertainment Value
‘How Can My Ancestor Be Your Ghost?’ is significant for integrating indigenous Taiwanese stories into a mainstream comedy. Its release during the Mid-Autumn Festival underscores themes of family and ancestry. With creative costume design and multilingual performances, the film aims to entertain while fostering cultural appreciation. The star-studded cast and original concept are expected to attract audiences looking for both humor and cultural insight.
