Three Times

'Millennium Mambo' director Hou Hsiao-hsien explores the ever-repeating pattern of love in this romantic trilogy.

The three separate love stories are set in three different times: 1911, 1966 and 2005 - but feature the same two actors in the leading roles.

In 'Episode 1 - A Time for Love', Chen (Chang Chen), a young man about to embark on his national service, falls in love with May (Shu Qi), who works at the pool hall he frequents.

He decides to track her down, only to discover that she has left her job and left no forwarding address.

In 'Episode 2 - A Time for Freedom', a beautiful young courtesan (Shu Qi) is caught between the attentions of a rich tea plantation owner and his son.

In 'Episode 3 - A Time for Youth', singer Jong (Shu Qi), who suffers from both epilepsy and failing sight, becomes an object of attraction for photographer Zhen (Chen Chang).

But as each of the pair is in a relationship with another woman, things start to get complicated.