Three Times（最好的时光）

Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Produced by Chang Hua-fu
Written by Hou Hsiao-Hsien,
                  Chu T'ien-wen
Starring: Shu Qi
                Chang Chen
Cinematography: Mark Lee Ping Bin
Distributed by First Distributors
Release date(s): 20 May 2005 (Cannes Film Festival)
Running time: 120 minutes
Awards:Golden Horse Awards
（Best Taiwanese Film of the Year & Best Actress (Shu Qi) & Golden Apricot - Best Film）

Three Times (最好的時光; Zuì hǎo de shí guāng; lit. 'Best of Times') is a 2005 Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien. It features three chronologically separate stories of love between May and Chen, set in 1911, 1966 and 2005, using the same lead actors, Shu Qi and Chang Chen.

Background

Three Times was originally meant to be an omnibus collection of short films, with Hou Hsiao-hsien directing only one of the segments. The producers were unable to rustle the financing to be able to hire three directors, so instead, Hou took over production.

Plot

A Time for Love
Set in Kaohsiung in 1966, with dialogue in Taiwanese Hokkien.

A Time for Freedom
Set in Dadaocheng in 1911, with dialogue presented only through on-screen captions. The theme of freedom joins with the theme of love - the young courtesan dreams of liberty and Taiwan itself at this time was occupied by the Japanese.

A Time for Youth
Set in Taipei in 2005, with dialogue in Mandarin.