Exclusive Interview: Director Arvin Chen Talks Love in Taipei, Capturing the City’s Essence, and More

Arvin Chen is the award-winning director behind the must-see new film, Love in Taipei.

Adapted from Abigail Hing’s New York Times best-selling novel Loveboat, Taipei, Love in Taipei tells the story of a young American woman who is sent by her parents to a cultural immersion program in Taipei–inspired by an actual program attended by thousands of Chinese and Taiwanese diaspora youth–where she begins a new journey of self-discovery and romance.

Love In Taipei stars Ashley Liao (Fresh Off The Boat, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as Ever Wong, whose summer takes an unexpected turn. Ever is surprised to discover that she wasn’t signed up for homework and history lessons, but instead for a summer-long free-for-all the locals and other students call “Loveboat.” It quickly lives up to its name when Ever finds herself trying not to fall for two attractive but wildly different boys who are vying for her attention, while at the same time finding the courage to defy her parents’ high expectations and pursue her true passion: dancing.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with acclaimed filmmaker Arvin Chen about Love in Taipei, capturing the city’s essence, and more.

PC: Similar to Ever in the film, you made your journey to Taiwan in your twenties. How did that trip ultimately change your own life? How much of that connection played a role in you wanting to direct this film?
Arvin: It changed my life completely. I’ve been here now for almost fifteen years. I was in my early twenties and I hadn’t made a single movie. Now I’ve made four, and they’ve all been in Taiwan. My wife is from Taiwan. I had my first kid in Taiwan. My life since my early twenties has been irrevocably changed by living here.

It’s been one of the big milestones in my life. Taiwan has given me almost everything. It’s had a huge impact on my life. Although the stories are very different, I definitely identified with the idea of being American and coming to a completely foreign land. I grew up in the suburbs of the US and like Ever went to Taiwan where her parents are from to find that cultural and deeper emotional connection to this foreign place. That meant a lot to me when I read the script. This is a lighter tone and take on that journey, but it’s still something that I identify with twenty years later.

PC: As you were saying, you’ve made films in Taiwan before, but never one for a Western audience. How different was this experience compared to your previous projects? What were the little nuances that you wanted to highlight in this film?
Arvin: It was pretty different. In addition to the fact that this was made for a predominantly Western audience, I also didn’t have a hand in writing it. Usually, I write my own movies. Not only is this an adaptation of a novel, but I didn’t work on the screenplay either. It was really interesting to look at it from a different objective point of view and see how I could bring that fantasy element to it. This is a heightened version of that journey, especially when compared to my own journey. It was about finding the fun, the charm, and the romance in it and knowing that I was going to shoot Taipei in a way that would be a heightened version of Taipei while trying to keep it not totally touristy. I found little spots of the city like little alleyways, sky bridges, and old temples that are grounded in the real Taipei, but by treating them with our cinematography and art direction, they become more than everyday Taipei.

PC: It was quite the journey to find your Ever. What was it about Ashley’s audition that stood out to you?
Arvin: She has the innate charm of the character, but it was her ability to play both sides of Ever: the insecure, small-town girl who is unsure of herself and the version that starts to gain confidence in herself and that takes life into her own hands. It was about finding an actress who had both of these qualities because Ever does go on a bit of a transformation throughout the journey.

PC: Because you live in Taipei, you knew the local spots where you wanted to shoot. How challenging was it to find the balance between highlighting these really specific and niche locations while creating a broader appeal for a Western audience?
Arvin: It was about drawing on what’s real and heightening it a bit. For instance, we have a night market scene in the film. Real night markets are difficult to shoot in because they’re so chaotic, and we were shooting in the height of COVID, so they were basically empty. We had to build our own market. It was completely based on what night markets look like. We brought in real vendors and stalls. Some of the lighting is a bit more beautiful than a real night market might look, but it was about that balance. I knew what a real night market should look and feel like, but how could I push that a bit more so it has more pop than your traditional night market?

PC: A lot of your cast was visiting Taipei for the first time. What were the key staples that you wanted to share with them as they discovered this city? How did that ultimately translate into the journeys we see on screen with each of the characters and the chemistry they built?
Arvin: They’re really young. Taiwan had its borders closed, which means that it had almost zero COVID cases at the time, so they had a great time. I think I did have to guide them a lot, but they found plenty of places to hang out, have fun, and eat. I was more on the sidelines watching them experience Taipei. It was really cool to see because they were falling in love with the city as the characters do in the film. I literally saw them fall in love with the city. They all said it was like a dream for them. They quarantined for fourteen days, and then they’d get out and get to experience this crazy, insane place for two months. Then suddenly they’re back into the real world. I feel like we captured a bit of their personal experiences. At least I hope we did.

PC: With the film out now on Paramount+, what do you hope audiences take away? Is there a scene in particular that you’re excited for audiences to see?
Arvin: The audience for this film skews a bit younger. I hope they see this film and go on their own journeys, especially if they’re children of immigrants. Maybe they can visit where their parents are from and try to experience that. For me, it was life-changing. It’s obviously a pretty big thing in Ever’s journey as well. I think if they can get out there a little bit that would be great. Or if they’re inspired to travel and see more of the world.

The scene that I really love is when Xavier and Eva are dancing on the Sky Bridge, which is literally in the middle of the city. It was a difficult scene to shoot. That scene really captures what I wanted the film to feel like, which is falling in love in the middle of Taipei.

To keep up with Arvin, follow him on Instagram. Watch Love in Taipei on Paramount+.