Alisia Liang

Four individuals, adrift in their pursuit of sexual gratification, find themselves inextricably linked by a shared longing for a deeper, purer connection that transcends carnal desires.

In the 1994 post-martial law period in Taiwan, the students were in the midst of protest. Chi-wei, a female college student, joins the strike to fight for their freedom of expression. During the protest, she slowly becomes attracted to Ching, the girlfriend of the leader of the student strike.

Wei Qian, thrust into adulthood after losing his parents, faces turmoil when his adopted brother Xiao Yuan confesses feelings, challenging family bonds and emotions.

Weng Wen-fang (Hsieh Ying-hsuan) came from a political family. She joined the Justice Party as the deputy director and spokesperson of the Publicity Department, after failing to be re-elected as a member of the Council. She led the publicity team in realizing their goals, but not without facing many challenges to their faith and values.

The Qiaotou youth LI Wen-hsin was arrested during the December 10, 1979, demonstration spearheaded by Formosa Magazine. After being thrown into prison, he learned a way to survive: mixing saltwater with white rice. He also recalled wonderful times with his girlfriend A-chun, the joys and suffering he shared with friends and family, and his longing for democracy. In this prison, referred to by inmates as the “Hotel Saltwater,” Wen-hsin and his companions, though suffering greatly, never let their thirst for freedom be extinguished.