''The Candidate'' is a 1998 Taiwanese

political satire Political satire is satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where Political discourse analysis, political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing ...

mockumentary film directed and written by

Neil Peng Neil Peng (; born 23 September 1953) is a Taiwanese screenwriter and political activist. Early life and career Peng was born in Sanchong, Taipei, and received his bachelor's degree in library science from Fu Jen Catholic University before obtai ...

, starring himself as presidential candidate Hsu Giu Jing who campaigns for national

vegetarianism Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism may ...

. The film was shown at the 1999 Hawaii International Film Festival.

Cast

as Hsu Giu Jing *Yu Mei-jen as Yu Mei-jen, Hsu Giu Jing's wife * Lang Tsu-yun as Irene, Hsu Giu Jing's spokesperson *Emi Lee as Yu An-an *Debby Yang as Annie *Chao Tzu-chiang as Vice President Li *Shih Wei as Vice President Feng *Lu Wei-lin as Male news reporter *Yang Yu-wen as Female news reporter *Huang Chih-hao as Wei *Chin Andi as Mao *Lan Ling as Zhen *Chen Yaling as Mei *

Chien Te-men Chien Te-men (, 28 August 1943 – 5 February 2018) was a Taiwanese actor. Selected filmography *''New Legend of Madame White Snake'' (1992) as Fahai. *''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' (1994). *'' The Rose'' (2003). *''KO One'' (2005). *'' ...

as Master Hsing Hsing *

Alyssa Chia Alyssa Chia Ching-wen (; born 7 October 1974) is a Taiwanese actress and television host. She is known for her roles in television series such as the period dramas ''The Prince of Han Dynasty'', ''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' and '' Lady W ...

as Hsu Giu Jing's mother *Sun Da-wei as Hsu Chiu Jing's father * Wang Yu-wen as Hsu Giu Jing's father's lover *Wang Hao-wei as

Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek (31 October 1887 – 5 April 1975), also known as Chiang Chung-cheng and Jiang Jieshi, was a Chinese Nationalist politician, revolutionary, and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China (ROC) from 1928 ...

's physician

Special appearances

* Cheng Tsai-tung as Cheng Tsai-tung, painter *

Yee Chin-yen Yee Chih-yen (; born 21 November 1959) is a Taiwanese film director. Biography Yee Chih-yen attended UCLA between 1983 and 1988.http://www.taiwancinema.com/ct.asp?xItem=12445&ctNode=39 Filmography * '' Lonely Hearts Club'' (1994) * ''Blue Gate ...

as Documentary director *

Sisy Chen Sisy Chen or Chen Wen-hsien (; born 25 March 1958) is a Taiwanese journalist, television commentator, writer and former politician. She hosts ''Sisy's World News'', a weekly newscast at the Chung T'ien Television and ''UFO Dinner'', a daily radi ...

as "Herself", Hsu Giu Jing's secret lover * Chen Horng-chi as himself * Cheng Li-wen as herself *

Pang Chien-kuo Pang Chien-kuo ( zh, 龐建國; 19 August 1953 – 11 January 2022) was a Taiwanese politician. Education Pang earned a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics from National Chung Hsing University in 1975 and a master's degree in law from Nat ...

as himself * Jaw Shaw-kong as himself * Kevin Tsai as himself * Poe Ta-chung as himself * Susan Yeh as herself * Ellen Huang as herself *

Winston Chao Winston Chao Wen-hsuan (born 9 June 1960) is a Taiwanese actor. He came to international attention for his performance in the 1993 film ''The Wedding Banquet'' and ''Kabali''. He is also known for his roles in ''Red Rose White Rose'' and ''Eat D ...

Danny Dun Dun An-ning (born 1956), also known as Danny Dun, is a Taiwanese actor, director, and screenwriter. Early life In 1956, Dun was born as Dun An-ning in Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, a ...

as man interviewed on the street *

Chien Wei-chuan Chien Wei-chuan (born 8 March 1971), also known as Rosa Chien, is a Taiwanese basketball coach and former player, widely considered the best female basketball player in Taiwanese history. She played on the Chinese Taipei women's national bask ...

as Basketball player * Ang Lee as Hsu Giu Jing's childhood friend

References

External links

* * Films shot in Taiwan Political satire films 1990s mockumentary films 1990s political films 1990s satirical films Films set in Taiwan 1990s Mandarin-language films Taiwanese comedy films Political mockumentaries Vegetarianism in fiction {{Taiwan-film-stub