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| From Actress to Producer: Ariel Lin’s Blind Love Takes On Queer Romance and Emotional Truths |
Taiwanese actress Ariel Lin is switching gears — and smashing expectations — with her first-ever producer role in the thought-provoking queer drama Blind Love. Not only does she star in the film, she also took the reins behind the scenes, expanding a short story she couldn’t shake out of her mind into a full-length feature.
Adapted from Liu Zi-jie’s minimalist short story of the same name, Blind Love tackles how we often choose not to see what really matters. “Sometimes, even when our eyes can see, our hearts remain numb, blind, or purposely shut off,” Ariel said in a recent interview. “But ironically, when we close our eyes, the mind sharpens. That’s when we truly see.”
She worked closely with director Julian Chou to shape the story into a richer, deeper narrative — one that’s already turning heads across the global festival scene.
Festival Darling with a Powerful Punch
The film’s already making noise. Blind Love has earned a coveted spot at several major international festivals, including:
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Rotterdam International Film Festival (Tiger Competition)
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Osaka Asian Film Festival (Spotlight Section)
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Las Palmas International Film Festival in Spain (Main Competition)
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Asian Film Festival Cambodia (Honourary Asian Section)
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But the biggest moment yet? Blind Love snagged the Best Feature Film award at the Johannesburg Film Festival in South Africa — a major nod to Ariel’s debut outing as a producer.
All-Star Cast with On-Screen Sparks
Ariel stars opposite powerhouse actress Wu Ke-xi, who recently won Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Festival for Blue Sun Palace. The film delves into a tender and turbulent queer relationship between their characters — marking Ariel’s first major foray into portraying same-sex romance on screen.
“Wu Ke-xi has such strong energy. She’s incredibly proactive, and I could really feel it in every scene,” Ariel shared.
And there’s one scene in particular that’s already gone viral in the trailer — a full-on slap moment between Ariel and actor Liu Jing. Turns out, that was no stage slap.
“We didn’t choreograph it. The emotions were running high, and sometimes I got a little too close,” Ariel admitted. “We ended up doing nearly 10 takes. I felt so guilty afterwards.”
But Liu Jing was all in. “I told her, ‘Big sis, don’t hold back — go for it!’” he laughed.
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Coming Soon: Taiwan Theatrical Release
Blind Love is officially set to hit theatres in Taiwan on 19 August 2025, with the trailer already making waves online. It’s being promoted with Ariel’s name front and centre — both as star and first-time producer.
For fans who’ve followed her career from romcom darling to dramatic powerhouse, this is a bold new chapter. And judging from the buzz, it’s only the beginning of her behind-the-scenes journey.