A Foggy Tale<\/em> (\u5927\u6fdb), directed by Chen Yu-hsun, tells the story of a girl who travels to northern Taiwan to retrieve her executed brother’s body. Along the way, she befriends a former soldier who helps her raise the money she needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The story is difficult. But discussing difficult stories is an important part of real English conversation. In this lesson, you will practice giving your opinion about whether openly sharing a nation\u2019s dark past can help society heal and prevent history from repeating itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Foggy Tale<\/em> is set during Taiwan\u2019s White Terror era, a period of political repression that lasted from 1949 to 1992. The Ministry of Culture said the film\u2019s title is a subtle metaphor for the uncertainty ordinary Taiwanese people felt during that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The film focuses not only on political events, but also on the everyday people living through them, their fear, compassion, powerlessness, joy, and sorrow. Much of the dialogue is in Taiwanese Hokkien, with some Beijing-dialect Mandarin, which gives the film a strong connection to Taiwan\u2019s language and cultural history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The film was released in November 2025. By July 2026, it had earned more than NT$1.192 billion at the box office<\/strong> and attracted over 4.4 million moviegoers. It also won four major awards at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also appeared at international festivals in Udine, Hong Kong, San Diego, and Singapore. From seven domestic films, it was selected as Taiwan\u2019s Oscars submission<\/strong>. The 99th Academy Awards will take place on March 14, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The film\u2019s success suggests that many people are willing to engage with a painful dark chapter<\/strong> in Taiwan\u2019s history. This is part of a broader global pattern. Countries worldwide have used truth commissions, museums, memorials, documentaries, novels, and films to confront the past<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These efforts do not always produce agreement. People may disagree about responsibility, political interpretation, or how much detail to remember. Some may feel that repeated discussion creates division. Others believe censorship<\/strong> and injustice <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where ideas such as transitional justice<\/strong>, reconciliation<\/strong>, and historical memory<\/strong> become important. Transitional justice refers to the ways a society responds to serious human rights abuses after a period of political violence or authoritarian rule. Reconciliation does not necessarily mean forgetting or pretending that everyone agrees. It can mean creating enough space for truth, responsibility, grief, and a shared future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many societies, this process is connected to national trauma<\/strong>. A film cannot solve that trauma by itself, but it can give people a way to see, feel, and discuss experiences that were once hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you discuss a sensitive topic, it can be difficult to organize your thoughts. You may have a strong feeling, but you might not know how to explain it clearly in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try this four-step Opinion Framework:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a simple model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think films about painful history can help society heal.<\/strong> Notice how the speaker does not simply say, \u201cIt is a good film.\u201d The speaker gives a clear view, explains why, provides a concrete example, and opens the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also soften your language when the topic is sensitive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start with a clear opinion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, I think they can help society heal, although the process may be uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Then explain your reason:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen people talk openly about the past, younger generations can understand what happened and why it should not happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can add an example from the film:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn A Foggy Tale<\/em>, the story shows the human cost of the White Terror through one family\u2019s experience. That makes history feel personal rather than distant.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you want to show a more balanced perspective, use although<\/strong>, at the same time<\/strong>, or however<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think these films can support healing. However, if people use them only to blame one another, they may increase conflict instead of encouraging reconciliation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This prompt asks you to compare two perspectives. You can begin by acknowledging the other side:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI understand why some people want to focus on the future. Constantly revisiting painful events can feel exhausting.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Then state your own position:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHowever, I don\u2019t think moving forward requires forgetting the past. I believe a society needs to understand its mistakes before it can build a healthier future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can talk about the connection between remembering and preventing repetition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf people do not learn about political repression, censorship, or the abuse of power, they may not recognize the warning signs when similar problems appear.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can also mention regret or remorse carefully:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPublic discussion may not produce the same level of regret or remorse from everyone, but it can still create greater awareness and responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Try to explain both the film and the reaction to it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe film matters because it tells a story about Taiwan\u2019s White Terror era through the lives of ordinary people. It is not only about politics. It is about family, fear, kindness, and the struggle to recover someone\u2019s dignity after an execution.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Then describe its wider impact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe film was a major box-office success in Taiwan, which shows that audiences were willing to watch a serious story about the past. It also received important awards and was selected for international festivals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Finally, explain why its Oscars submission is meaningful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChoosing this film sends a message that Taiwan is willing to share its history internationally. It shows that Taiwanese filmmakers can tell a local story with universal themes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can connect this topic to another example of art creating cultural conversation in Taiwan by reading Only This Green: A Dance Drama That Sparked a Cultural Conversation<\/a>. The subject is different, but the communication skill is similar: explaining why a creative work matters beyond entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa is a Taiwanese project manager. After watching A Foggy Tale<\/em>, she discusses it with an overseas colleague during a video call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her colleague asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy would Taiwan choose such a heavy film as its Oscars submission? Wouldn\u2019t it be better to send something more entertaining?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Lisa feels that he has misunderstood the film. Her first reaction is to defend it quickly, but she pauses and uses the Opinion Framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think choosing A Foggy Tale<\/em> makes sense. The film is serious, but it is also emotionally powerful and accessible. It tells an important part of Taiwan\u2019s history through the experience of ordinary people. For example, the main character is trying to recover her brother\u2019s body, so the story focuses on family and human dignity rather than only political ideas. I can understand why some people prefer lighter films, but I think this story is important for Taiwan to share. How do other countries decide which historical stories to present internationally?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Lisa does several things effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That final step is especially useful in professional English. You are not trying to win an argument. You are trying to keep the conversation open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next time someone asks you about A Foggy Tale<\/em>, or about a painful part of Taiwan\u2019s history, you do not need to give a perfect academic explanation. Start with one clear opinion. Give one reason. Add one example. Then ask what the other person thinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is how a difficult topic becomes a real conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want more practice organizing your ideas and speaking with confidence, Teach Thinking, Not English<\/a> explains why strong conversation skills require more than memorizing correct sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\nContext: Why Is A Foggy Tale<\/em> Significant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Taiwanese](\"https:\/\/cdn.marblism.com\/UQ4s-YqyiRg.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Opinion Framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The reason is that they make difficult experiences easier to discuss.<\/strong>
For example, A Foggy Tale<\/em> shows how political repression affected ordinary families, not only political leaders.<\/strong>
What do you think? Can films like this help with healing, or can they create more division?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
Guided Practice: Discussing Painful History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Do You Think Films About Painful History Help Society Heal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Some People Say We Should Focus on the Future, Not the Past. What\u2019s Your View?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. How Would You Explain to a Foreign Friend Why A Foggy Tale<\/em> Matters to Taiwan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Two](\"https:\/\/cdn.marblism.com\/DXoPN4DbY6j.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCase Study: Lisa Discusses the Film at Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Taiwanese](\"https:\/\/cdn.marblism.com\/Lc2PoKO6ejA.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKey Vocabulary Glossary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Term<\/th> Meaning<\/th> Example<\/th> Chinese instructions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> dark chapter<\/td> A painful or shameful period in history<\/td> The film explores a dark chapter in Taiwan\u2019s history.<\/td> \u9ed1\u6697\u7684\u4e00\u6bb5\u6b77\u53f2\uff1b\u5e38\u7528\u4f86\u59d4\u5a49\u63cf\u8ff0\u570b\u5bb6\u6216\u793e\u6703\u66fe\u7d93\u6b77\u904e\u7684\u82e6\u96e3\u3002<\/td><\/tr> White Terror<\/td> Taiwan\u2019s period of political repression from 1949 to 1992<\/td> The story is set during the White Terror.<\/td> \u767d\u8272\u6050\u6016\uff1b\u6307\u53f0\u70631949\u5e74\u81f31992\u5e74\u9593\u7684\u653f\u6cbb\u9ad8\u58d3\u8207\u8feb\u5bb3\u6642\u671f\u3002<\/td><\/tr> healing<\/td> The process of recovering from pain or trauma<\/td> Open discussion can be part of social healing.<\/td> \u7642\u7652\u3001\u4fee\u5fa9\uff1b\u53ef\u7528\u65bc\u500b\u4eba\uff0c\u4e5f\u53ef\u7528\u65bc\u793e\u6703\u5f9e\u5275\u50b7\u4e2d\u6162\u6162\u6062\u5fa9\u3002<\/td><\/tr> confront the past<\/td> To face and discuss difficult historical events<\/td> A society must confront the past honestly.<\/td> \u9762\u5c0d\u904e\u53bb\uff1b\u901a\u5e38\u6307\u4e0d\u9003\u907f\u3001\u4e0d\u96b1\u779e\u6b77\u53f2\u554f\u984c\u3002<\/td><\/tr> reconciliation<\/td> The process of rebuilding peace after conflict<\/td> Truth can be an important step toward reconciliation.<\/td> \u548c\u89e3\uff1b\u6307\u885d\u7a81\u6216\u50b7\u5bb3\u4e4b\u5f8c\uff0c\u91cd\u65b0\u5efa\u7acb\u7406\u89e3\u8207\u548c\u5e73\u3002<\/td><\/tr> transitional justice<\/td> Responses to human rights abuses after political change<\/td> Transitional justice may include investigations and memorials.<\/td> \u8f49\u578b\u6b63\u7fa9\uff1b\u6307\u793e\u6703\u8f49\u578b\u5f8c\uff0c\u8655\u7406\u904e\u53bb\u4eba\u6b0a\u4fb5\u5bb3\u7684\u5236\u5ea6\u8207\u884c\u52d5\u3002<\/td><\/tr> national trauma<\/td> Deep emotional suffering experienced by a society<\/td> The event remains part of the country\u2019s national trauma.<\/td> \u570b\u5bb6\u5275\u50b7\u3001\u96c6\u9ad4\u5275\u50b7\uff1b\u6307\u6574\u500b\u793e\u6703\u5171\u540c\u627f\u53d7\u7684\u6df1\u5c64\u50b7\u75db\u3002<\/td><\/tr> box office<\/td> The amount of money a film earns from ticket sales<\/td> The film was a major box-office success.<\/td> \u7968\u623f\uff1b\u4e5f\u53ef\u6307\u96fb\u5f71\u552e\u7968\u6536\u5165\u6216\u7968\u623f\u8868\u73fe\u3002<\/td><\/tr> submission<\/td> A film officially entered for consideration<\/td> The film became Taiwan\u2019s Oscars submission.<\/td> \u53c3\u8cfd\u4f5c\u54c1\u3001\u63d0\u540d\u9001\u4ef6\uff1b\u6b64\u8655\u6307\u4ee3\u8868\u53f0\u7063\u9001\u4ea4\u5967\u65af\u5361\u8a55\u9078\u7684\u96fb\u5f71\u3002<\/td><\/tr> historical memory<\/td> How a society remembers and understands its past<\/td> Films can shape historical memory.<\/td> \u6b77\u53f2\u8a18\u61b6\uff1b\u6307\u793e\u6703\u5982\u4f55\u8a18\u4f4f\u3001\u7406\u89e3\u8207\u50b3\u627f\u904e\u53bb\u3002<\/td><\/tr> censorship<\/td> Control or restriction of information or creative work<\/td> Censorship can prevent people from discussing history openly.<\/td> \u5be9\u67e5\u5236\u5ea6\u3001\u8a00\u8ad6\u5be9\u67e5\uff1b\u6307\u653f\u5e9c\u6216\u6b0a\u529b\u6a5f\u69cb\u9650\u5236\u8cc7\u8a0a\u8207\u8868\u9054\u3002<\/td><\/tr> regret \/ remorse<\/td> Sadness or guilt about something wrong in the past<\/td> Public discussion may lead to regret or remorse.<\/td> \u5f8c\u6094\uff0f\u61ca\u6094\u3001\u81ea\u8cac\uff1bregret\u8f03\u5ee3\u6cdb\uff0cremorse\u901a\u5e38\u5e36\u6709\u66f4\u5f37\u70c8\u7684\u9053\u5fb7\u6127\u759a\u611f\u3002<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Your Turn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n