'The Long Goodbye' Director Chang Shu-Wei Accused of Unpaid Wages as Crew Members Demand Nearly NT$1 Million
Shortly after wrapping his socially conscious film "The Long Goodbye," director Chang Shu-Wei faces accusations from multiple crew members who say they are still owed payments totaling nearly NT$1 million.
Photo: Mirror Media
Director Chang Shu-Wei, who previously made the film "My Racing Dad," recently directed the socially conscious film "The Long Goodbye," enlisting powerhouse performers such as Golden Horse Best Actor Lee Kang-sheng, Golden Horse Best Actress Chen Shu-fang and Wang Yao-qing. The film wrapped in grand fashion not long ago, and the crew had publicly described the shoot as having a harmonious atmosphere with no overtime work. Now, however, a dispute over unpaid wages has surfaced, with several behind-the-scenes staff members alleging that payments remain unsettled, totaling nearly NT$1 million.
According to reports, a location manager surnamed Chiu said he worked with the production for nearly a month, during which he scouted numerous filming locations. He said he also secured a key main location in Beitou. Unexpectedly, the collaboration later soured, with Chang's side claiming he "didn't do any work" and refusing to pay the roughly NT$100,000 in agreed compensation. Believing his rights had been violated, the location manager has filed a complaint with labor authorities.
That is not the only case. Another art department staff member said "The Long Goodbye" wrapped this past May, yet about NT$500,000 in outstanding payment has still not been received. A producer surnamed Li also came forward, alleging that he began discussing preparatory work with Chang before the Lunar New Year, officially starting work on the fourth day of the new year. He handled pre-production tasks such as location scouting and finding a temporary office, working continuously until the lead actors began their table read on March 1. Unexpectedly, the working relationship began to change in March, and members of the original team were gradually replaced.
The producer surnamed Li said he is still owed NT$120,000, but the other party is only willing to pay NT$20,000. He added that an outside contractor is owed more than NT$70,000, of which the other party reportedly agreed to pay only NT$10,000, and that a stylist is also still awaiting about NT$60,000. Li further alleged that two mediation sessions had been arranged over the dispute, but Chang failed to attend either one, leaving the matter unresolved to this day.
Source: Mirror Media — https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20260824-190ent-173820