New Turn

"God created the world in 7 days. I hope I will re-create myself in 10 days." So resolves New Turn's young protagonist, A-lan, at the outset of her sojourn to Taiwan. Hoping to traverse the entire island on bicycle, the twentysomething editor from Hong Kong seeks to discover herself in more ways than one. Two months earlier, she learned she may have a lost identical twin in Taiwan who had made a similar bike trip, and A-lan is determined to find her, or at least follow in her path. This path quickly unites her with three strangers, pedaling at her side as each pursues their own journey. The loquacious art director Qingtian, left reeling when her fiance suddenly calls it quits, joins on a whim. They are soon joined by Zhenting, a mysterious free spirit making the trip to bond with his brother, and Guang, a sheltered young man suddenly eager to experience the world and build confidence. The four riders, just as in their lives before, encounter many wrenches in their spokes along the way, but find themselves growing through their unexpected friendship and the kindness they encounter throughout Taiwan. With a rich color palette and a spontaneous, jubilant spirit, New Turn is an endearing travelogue exploring the power of embracing twists and turns in the road for their own sake. (Seattle International Film Festival)