The Age Of Goodbyes (2026)

The Age of Goodbyes is a 2026 cinematic adaptation of Li Zi Shu's acclaimed novel, exploring the complex interplay between official political memory and personal history through an experimental narrative structure. The film delves into the aftermath of the May 13 race riots in 1969, utilizing a three-tiered storytelling approach that features different narrative voices unfolding across distinct time periods. This structural complexity mirrors the novel's exploration of trust, identity, and the tension between public records and private truths, particularly focusing on the lives of Chinese Malaysian characters navigating a turbulent socio-political landscape.

Adapted for the screen, the project brings to life the intricate relationships and mysterious connections that define the original text, including the story of Du Li An, who rises from the ashes of riot-era trauma to become a "boss lady," and the enigmatic presence of identical twins whose identities blur the lines of reality within the plot. The film promises a captivating blend of historical drama and psychological mystery, inviting audiences to question where truth resides when memory is fractured by time and conflict.

Li Zi Shu's work, which received the China Times Open Book Award, has garnered significant attention for its literary merit and bold examination of post-colonial and post-riot societal structures. The 2026 film adaptation aims to translate this literary depth into a visual medium, maintaining the suspenseful atmosphere and the nuanced character development that made the book a bestseller. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in making sense of a past that continues to shape the future.

• The film is based on the award-winning English-language debut novel by Li Zi Shu, which was translated by YZ Chin and published by Feminist Press.
• The narrative structure of the source material features three distinct timelines and narrative voices, a technique the film adaptation seeks to replicate visually.
• The story is anchored by the real-world historical event of the May 13, 1969 race riots, though the novel famously omits direct reference to the date while marking its profound impact on the characters' lives.
• The protagonist, Du Li An, navigates a complex personal life involving marriage to a gangster named Steely Bo and an affair with her stepdaughter's boyfriend, who is the twin of a former lover.
• The production emphasizes the theme of mirroring and duality, both in its plot devices involving identical twins and its broader sociological commentary on mirrored realities in political history.