Taiwan's resilient but put-upon film industry has been under a lot of pressure recently, with production almost dropping out of existence. So it is reassuring to see that this always inventive film-making territory has two films on show at Cannes ­ even if competition entry A One And A Two was funded by the Japanese. Vivian Chang's Hidden Whisper, however, is a totally Taiwanese production, which has been produced by stalwart ROC studio the Central Motion Picture Corporation.

The first film from former assistant director Chang, who also scripted, Hidden Whisper is described by the producers as "a composite film about women's maturity, and their perpetual complexes with their mothers." Looking at the lives of three women of different ages, it begins with childhood, and a story about a young beggar girl who escapes her tough life and the outbursts of her abusive father through a series of daydreams.

"The reality of her life is the violence and humiliation of a dysfunctional family ­ but in the eyes of the little girl, reality is something else," say the producers.

Part two focuses on a rebellious 17-year-old who lives with her mother, but may as well be living on a different planet. Lonely and disconnected, she play-acts at being different people by stealing their ID cards and assuming new identities.

In part three, we meet a 30-year-old woman who is unable to share a deep secret that she holds. After spending her life running from her mother into the arms of different men, she finally faces up to her problems, providing the catalyst that brings her secret out into the open.

As far as the cast is concerned, the profile of the film will doubtless benefit from the presence of Taiwan-born Hong Kong superstar Shu Qi in a leading role. Actor Leon Dai, meanwhile, will be recognisable from a number of Taiwanese art-house films, including Sweet Degeneration and The Hole; as will long-time actress, Elaine Jin.

Richard James Havis