No No Sleep 2015
Tsai Ming-liang's *No No Sleep* (2015) is a meditative short film crafted as the opening piece for the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Director: Tsai Ming-liang
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is No No Sleep (2015) about?
*No No Sleep* follows two men navigating the paradox of exhaustion without rest, as they wander Tokyo's Shibuya Station and seek refuge in a capsule hotel. Their futile attempts to sleep reveal the city's relentless energy and the fragility of human stillness.
Who directed No No Sleep?
The film was directed by Tsai Ming-liang, the acclaimed Taiwanese auteur known for his contemplative cinema and award-winning features.
Who stars in No No Sleep?
The short stars Lee Kang-sheng and Japanese actor Masanobu Ando, both frequent collaborators of Tsai Ming-liang.
Is No No Sleep (2015) worth watching?
Though brief, *No No Sleep* is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, offering a meditative experience that lingers. Fans of Tsai's slow cinema or poetic urban narratives will find it rewarding.
How long is No No Sleep?
The runtime is 34 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About No No Sleep (2015) — Tsai Ming-liang's haunting 34-minute ode to sleepless modern life
Tsai Ming-liang's *No No Sleep* (2015) is a meditative short film crafted as the opening piece for the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Set against the neon glow of Tokyo's Shibuya Station, the film follows two weary travelers—played by Lee Kang-sheng and Masanobu Ando—as they retreat to a capsule hotel for rest, only to find their exhausted bodies betrayed by restless minds. Their night unfolds in fragmented glimpses: shared public baths, fleeting moments of solitude, and the quiet tension between exhaustion and the inability to surrender to sleep. With his signature minimalist style, Tsai transforms urban anonymity into a poetic meditation on modern fatigue and the elusive pursuit of peace.
Shot in stark black-and-white, *No No Sleep* blends documentary realism with dreamlike stillness, capturing the dissonance between physical tiredness and mental overdrive. The film's quiet intensity lingers long after its brief runtime, offering a hypnotic reflection on the paradox of seeking rest in a world that never stops.