Seven Days in Heaven

Adapted from Essay Liu's tearjerking autobiographical essay that won Taiwan's top literacy award, Seven Days in Heaven is a sentimental and insightful comedy about the formalities of death. Mei's father just passed away. She and relatives domestic and abroad set off for their home village to attend the 7-day mourning ritual hosted by a Daoist priest. Together the modernized international urbanites experience reverse-cultural shock with rural traditions that are as fascinating as exhausting. The rare reunion lets the new generation reflect on their interaction with the old man and piece together a fuller image that couldn't be seen from each individual's perspective. After the funeral, each family member moves on to life elsewhere with a deepened connection to their root. Mei finally gets to cope with the loss in her very own way.