In 1977, Ah Wen had been on the other side of history: recruited as a spy. His assignment was to infiltrate the campaign headquarters of an independent candidate.
As a spy, he met a promising young man named Ah Yu. The two young men engaged in intense debates about Taiwan’s future. While working together to monitor the elections, they also met Elena, a participant in the democracy movement. Together they put up campaign posters, faced attacks from thugs, and attended inspiring rallies for independent candidates.
Growing up, Ah Wen had never questioned the KMT, the ruling party that had imposed martial law in Taiwan. His father, a KMT member, had taught him to view those opposed to their party as “communist spies.” But during this time, Ah Wen's perspective began to change.
On election day, tensions between the police and civilians escalated. Amidst the chaos, Ah Wen saw a sniper on the police station roof aiming at the crowd—with his friend Ah Yu in the line of fire.
This historical backdrop resonates with recent issues in Taiwan, among them the Chinese Communist Party’s interference in its democratic process.