A Leg (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

After Zi-Han dies from septicemia, the search for his missing amputated leg intertwines grief with memories of financial hardship and an unfinished shared life.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Necessary Amputation

Severe septicemia puts Zi-Han's life in danger, and Dr. Gao explains that amputation is necessary. Zi-Han ultimately asks for sedatives before the operation.

Key Events

• Septicemia Becomes Critical — Zi-Han is hospitalized with severe septicemia that has gone untreated too long. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng, Dr. Gao Location: Hospital
• Amputation Is Recommended — Dr. Gao says amputation is necessary to save Zi-Han's life. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng, Dr. Gao Location: Hospital
• Zi-Han Requests Sedatives — After first insisting on staying awake for the operation, Zi-Han asks for sedatives. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Hospital

The Unfound Limb

After Zi-Han dies, his wife searches for the amputated leg and encounters hospital limitations. An apology and offer of a prosthetic do not resolve the loss, which delays the funeral.

Key Events

• The Leg Is Missing — After Zi-Han dies, his wife searches for the amputated leg, which cannot be found. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Hospital
• Rules Restrict the Search — Pathology Director Yang explains that hospital rules limit what can be done. Characters: Pathology Director Yang Location: Hospital
• Prosthetic Offered — The President apologizes and offers to arrange a wooden prosthetic. Characters: President Location: Hospital
• The Loss Remains Unresolved — Zi-Han's wife refuses to treat the offer as resolving the missing leg. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Hospital
• Funeral Is Delayed — The missing leg delays Zi-Han's funeral. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Hospital

A Life They Imagined

Conversations reveal financial troubles, a casino loss, and Zi-Han's request for help. Memories of opening a dance studio and welcoming students recall a hopeful period in the couple's life.

Key Events

• Financial Troubles Surface — Conversations reveal the couple's financial troubles and choices preceding the tragedy. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Unspecified
• Casino Loss — Zi-Han loses his money at a casino. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Casino
• Zi-Han Seeks Help — After the casino loss, Zi-Han asks Casino Mr. Chen for help. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng, Casino Mr. Chen Location: Unspecified
• Dance Studio Opens — Zi-Han and his wife open a dance studio together. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Dance studio
• Students Begin Arriving — Students gradually arrive, bringing the couple a hopeful period. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Dance studio

The Unpaid Promise

The story reveals that Zi-Han feared bone cancer and used a friend's health report to obtain insurance. The policy does not pay because septicemia, rather than cancer, caused his death, and his intended financial amends never happen.

Key Events

• Insurance Scheme Revealed — Zi-Han feared bone cancer and used his friend's health report to buy insurance. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Unspecified
• Policy Does Not Pay — The policy pays nothing because septicemia caused a blood clot, not cancer. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Unspecified
• Amends Never Made — A friend recalls Zi-Han's unfulfilled plan to give his wife several million. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Unspecified

An Unfinished Search

Police dialogue raises the possibility that the leg is in the hospital basement and that records may help locate it. The ambulance driver says Zi-Han's body is still in his vehicle, and the search remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Police Discuss the Case — The officers discuss a woman's removal from a crime scene and escape from custody. Characters: Senior Police Officer, Junior Police Officer Location: Unspecified
• Basement Search Suggested — The Junior Police Officer suggests the leg may be in the basement and records could locate it. Characters: Senior Police Officer, Junior Police Officer Location: Hospital
• Body Still in Ambulance — The Ambulance Driver reveals that Zi-Han's body remains in his vehicle. Characters: Ambulance Driver, Zi-Han Zheng Location: Ambulance
• Search Has No Resolution — The leg's fate remains unresolved, and Zi-Han's wife still cannot bury him. Characters: Zi-Han Zheng Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Medical Crisis — Zi-Han's untreated septicemia leads to an urgent decision about amputation.
  • Septicemia Worsens — Zi-Han is hospitalized with severe septicemia.
  • Amputation Recommended — Dr. Gao says the operation is necessary to save Zi-Han's life.
• Missing Leg Search — After Zi-Han's death, his wife searches for the amputated leg and refuses to accept a substitute as resolution.
  • Hospital Search — His wife searches the hospital for the missing leg.
  • Rules and Prosthetic — Pathology Director Yang explains hospital limits, while the President offers a wooden prosthetic.
• Delayed Funeral — The missing body part prevents the family from treating the death and burial as settled.
  • Burial Delayed — The missing leg delays Zi-Han's funeral.
  • Body in Ambulance — The Ambulance Driver reveals that Zi-Han's body remains in his vehicle.
• Financial Hardship — Recollections of money troubles place the couple's hopes against the choices that preceded the tragedy.
  • Casino Loss — Zi-Han loses his money at a casino.
  • Asking for Help — Zi-Han later asks Casino Mr. Chen for help.
• Dance Studio Hope — The couple's shared work and memories reveal a period of renewed hope.
  • Studio Opens — Zi-Han and his wife open a dance studio together.
  • Students Arrive — Students gradually begin arriving at the studio.
• Insurance Revelation — The insurance plan fails to provide money after the cause of Zi-Han's death is clarified.
  • Cancer Fear — Zi-Han had feared bone cancer and used his friend's health report to buy insurance.
  • No Payout — The policy does not pay because septicemia, not cancer, caused his death.
• Official Investigation — Police discussion and a proposed basement search offer a possible lead without resolving the missing leg's fate.
  • Police Discussion — The officers discuss a woman's removal from a crime scene and escape from custody.
  • Basement Lead — The Junior Police Officer suggests hospital records may help locate the leg in the basement.

Directed by

Chang Yao-sheng

Key Cast

• Gwei Lun-Mei — Yu-Ying Qian
• Tony Yang Yo-Ning — Zi-Han Zheng
• Michael Chang — John
• Lee Lee-zen — Dr. Gao
• King Shih-chieh — President