This text draws from many real-life incidents involving undocumented migrants in Taiwan, with the question “Who am I?” at its heart. Through cases of Taiwanese people of irregular status and undocumented overseas Chinese as well as identity documents, it explores the issues of identity and belonging in Taiwan. In addition, the topic is connected to Taiwan’s uncertain position within the international community, which affects how the Taiwanese people see themselves, emphasising the contradictory and ludicrous circumstances of the real world. All of this is presented with strong pacing, alternating sections of narration and performance, and puppetry.

The story begins with a young vocational high school student whose parents departed when he was very young. After his father’s death, he goes to the household registration department to change his guardian, only to find that his birth mother is someone else altogether, which throws his identity into doubt. As he searches for his mother, he encounters a young “black household” undocumented woman, and decides to help her, so the pair go on the run together. As the police come after them, a lorry suddenly arrives out of nowhere and rescues them. The police and army then surround the vehicle by land, sea and air in the middle of Taipei Bridge. As the loudspeaker remorselessly counts down, the boy can only watch the tragedy that unfolds before his eyes, sighing that the world does not care about their stories, but only about whether you can prove who you are.

5th The World Sinophone Drama Competition for Young Playwrights 2nd Prize