Why Edward Yang’s Yi Yi is considered one of the greatest films ever made

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A three-hour Taiwanese family drama that transcends its genre, Yi Yi captures the beauty, grief, and humor of everyday life. Directed by Edward Yang, this 2000 masterpiece follows three generations of a middle-class family in Taipei, offering a profound, patient look at the human experience that continues to resonate decades later.

The film centers on NJ, an engineer navigating a midlife crisis, his struggling company, and the complex dynamics of his family in Taipei. When his mother-in-law falls into a coma, the family is forced to confront their own dissatisfactions and secrets. From the wedding of NJ’s brother-in-law to the quiet, contemplative photography of NJ’s young son, Yang-Yang, the narrative weaves together the disparate threads of a family in flux. The title, Yi Yi, translates to 'one by one' or 'one after another,' reflecting the film's structure as it observes the characters' lives with remarkable discretion and patience.

Edward Yang’s direction is widely celebrated for its ability to see life whole, balancing the inherent sadness of existence with moments of genuine joy. Critics have noted that the film avoids sentimentality, instead presenting a lucid and elegant portrait of contemporary life. The performances, including those of non-professional child actors Jonathan Chang and Kelly Lee, were shaped by script amendments made during the 1999 production. The soundtrack, featuring piano pieces performed by Yang’s wife, Kaili Peng, further underscores the film’s delicate yet strong emotional resonance.

Since its premiere at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival in 2000, where Yang won Best Director, the film has garnered immense critical acclaim. It has been ranked among the greatest films of the 21st century by publications such as the BBC, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone. Beyond its initial festival success, including awards from the National Society of Film Critics and the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, the film’s legacy has only grown. With recent 4K restorations and its inclusion in The Criterion Collection, Yi Yi remains a vital touchstone for cinema, described by critic Nigel Andrews as being as far beyond a standard family drama as Citizen Kane is beyond a film about a newspaper.

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