Special Screening of 'I Blew the Candle Before Wishing' in Taichung: Rising Star Mei Jingyan Hopes for Golden Horse Recognition

The film 'I Blew the Candle Before Wishing' held a special screening on the evening of the 11th at the Far Eastern Mega Mall VOX Cinemas in Taichung. Liu Chung-wei, a senior commissioner from the Taichung City Government Information Bureau, attended to show support, alongside producer Tang Tsai-yang, director Jason Chow, actors Tu Chung-hua, and young actress Mei Jingyan, who shared stories about the film's production and creative journey with the Taichung audience.

During his pre-screening remarks, producer Tang Tsai-yang highly praised Mei Jingyan's performance, expressing strong confidence that she would be a contender for this year's Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer. 'I Blew the Candle Before Wishing' has been selected for the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, the New York Asian Film Festival, and the International New Directors Competition at the 2026 Taipei Film Festival. Through its narrative, the film explores social issues such as rehabilitation protection, intergenerational parenting, and vulnerable families, encouraging audiences to reconsider the meaning of 'home' and the importance of 'companionship'.

Liu Chung-wei, senior commissioner of the Information Bureau, stated that films not only provide entertainment but can also initiate social dialogue. 'I Blew the Candle Before Wishing' reveals issues related to child welfare, intergenerational parenting, and social support through the story of a young girl, her grandmother, and a disadvantaged family. It prompts audiences to reflect on the meaning of 'family' and the significance of companionship in personal growth. It is hoped that after the film's release, it will inspire greater understanding and care for these social issues among viewers.

Producer Tang Tsai-yang and director Jason Chow explained that the film is set in Macau and weaves a story that is both absurd and heartwarming through the encounter between a young girl and a down-on-his-luck man. Beyond portraying the choices characters make amid life's hardships, the film aims to show how people in different life circumstances can support one another through companionship and emotional connection. It delivers the warmth of cinema through a story filled with both laughter and tears.

Mei Jingyan, who plays JoJo, stood out among approximately 300 children during auditions and made her big-screen debut with a remarkable performance, earning high praise from producer Tang Tsai-yang. Veteran actor Tu Chung-hua also joined the cast, portraying the emotional bond between characters alongside Mei. Liu Chung-wei noted that it is no small feat for a newcomer to take on a leading role in her first film, and expressed hope that audiences would remember this promising young talent after watching the movie.

The story follows JoJo (Mei Jingyan), a young girl in Macau, living with her grandmother (Patricia Kwan). One day, Chih-hua (Ko Chen-tung), a man from Taiwan labeled a 'loser,' arrives to collect a debt. It turns out JoJo secretly possesses casino chips worth a million, which can only be used within the casino. When her grandmother falls ill, JoJo, too young to enter the casino, asks Chih-hua to go in her place to exchange the chips for cash. Chih-hua, already crushed by mortgage debt, agrees immediately. With both parties harboring ulterior motives, the unlikely pair embarks on a bizarre 'con operation'—a mix of mutual affection and deception. Amid absurd situations and heartfelt emotions, the film portrays how two individuals from different generations and circumstances gradually form a unique bond.

'I Blew the Candle Before Wishing' will be released nationwide in Taiwan on August 14. For more information, visit the official Facebook and Instagram fan pages. The public is encouraged to support local cinema by watching this moving story on the big screen and experiencing the warmth and power of film.