Ling, a middle-aged woman, is fired for no reason. Her mother-in-law is hospitalized and she is the sole carer; her husband’s been working abroad, and her adult daughter has already left home. Next to her mother-in-law’s bed is a man in a coma who often moans unconsciously. One day, Ling tries to give him water but accidentally drops it on him. She wipes the water off his body. Upon discovering that the moaning eases with her touch, a door to Ling’s deepest desires is suddenly opened.

Through a gentle female perspective, Exit (2014) reflects a middle-aged woman’s immense loneliness and suppressed desires, while addressing the human nature of wanting to love and be loved. Director CHIENN believes that desires are a labyrinthine, compound state that isn’t only about sex; it’s the yearning for physical contact and companionship. Towards the end of the film, Ling is pushing against a broken front door with her frail body. A new-found strength has set her free from the desperation of clinging to her youth, giving her courage to say goodbye to the past and embrace new possibilities.

Available Formats: DVD, Blu-ray and DCP