When a person’s beliefs are questioned because of the guy he loves, he is forced to make a choice that no one should ever have to make. With this Golden Horse Award-nominated film, director Chen Min-Lang gives us a realistic perspective on discrimination, even in the face of society’s efforts to achieve equality in ‘The Teacher‘.
Starring Chang Chin-Hao and Oscar Chiu, this GagaOOLala original will make you reflect on the true meaning of love, responsibility, and standing up for what you believe in. Prepare yourself for an intense emotional ride as BLTai recaps ‘The Teacher’.
Warning: Spoiler alert. Read at your own risk.
Kevin, a civics instructor, attends a performance that has two male artists who are completely covered in a sticky, white substance. The now-dried, white substance begins to peel off like an animal going through molting as the two artists draw closer to one another. As the show comes to a close, the artists start acting maniacally together. The dried white substance is now all over the floor, while the artists are almost as naked as they were born.
On a busy street in the city, Kevin and his friends try to persuade people to sign their petition for same-sex marriage. Afterward, he goes to a male public bathhouse, where he catches the attention of an attractive older man. He runs into another man in the bathroom, who invites him to a sauna room to have sexual intercourse. When Kevin says he only wants to snuggle, the man pushes him away. Kevin, feeling let down, goes to the shower area, where he finds strangers fondling each other’s bodies until one of the bathhouse staff members stops them. Kevin walks up to the corner where the attractive older man, who had earlier kept staring at him, is seated. After locking eyes, the two have protected sex in the man’s expensive condo. The next day, Kevin goes to a restaurant for brunch with the older man, whom he now knows as Gao. During their meal, the two become acquainted and get along rather well. They talk about their careers and life goals, particularly Kevin’s, who thinks that if he doesn’t end up as a teacher, he will probably go into politics to carry on fighting for his principles. Gao, who oversees his family’s gas company, plays along with Kevin’s joke about being his lover.
Kevin’s students mock him for his very flamboyant manners at the school where he teaches. Even Director Lin, the school’s principal, remarks on how particular he seems to be about his appearance. Additionally, Director Lin says that he knows Kevin attends rallies, and while he doesn’t want to interfere, he advises Kevin to consider the impact his extracurricular activities may have on the school’s reputation. Kevin returns home to the house he shares with his mother, with whom he is close before he meets up with Gao. Kevin tells him as they stroll side by side that he hopes to meet a partner who will return his love, get married, and spend their golden years together. That night, Gao looked at Kevin with affection as he sang at a local bar. Once back in the city, Gao visits the factory, where his ex-wife, Wei, follows him around. She reminds him that he needs to discuss the replacement of the air conditioner with his father because he is unable to decide on his own. Wei also wants to know if she has to accompany Gao on his next hospital visit and how his body is responding to his medications. Wei informs Gao that she still wants a child before she leaves. In the meantime, Kevin shows his mother Gao’s photo and tells her that he is his lover. Although Gao’s mother compliments him on his attractiveness, she also advises him that what should matter most is personality rather than looks. Additionally, Kevin acknowledges that he is genuinely concerned about Gao since the latter has become silent about him. Kevin can’t help but worry, so he visits the factory and Gao’s condominium building. There, he discovers that Gao is hospitalized after having tonsillitis surgery. He runs into Wei, who is also visiting Gao, and learns that he is his ex-wife. Kevin meets a friend, Jo, at one of their rallies and asks if he thinks he is a homewrecker due to the complicated relationship between Gao and Wei. Jo advises him to ask Gao directly instead of asking other people. On top of his problems, he also continues to experience mocking from his students. To the surprise of Kevin’s mother, Kevin and Gao decide to live together. Despite not having met Gao yet, his mother ultimately decides to support him despite her reluctance to let him go because she feels that he is hurrying things. She makes him promise to look after himself and to come to her as often as he can. Meanwhile, Wei pays Gao another visit at his workplace and reminds him that she still wants a baby.
