At a giance, a love story of a gav COuple by a female director seems to be unfamiliar. Formula 17 is filled with the delicate sensibilities of adolescent girls. 7 year-old Tien Tsai arrives in Taipei with an ambition. There seems to be a great love waiting 1or him in Taipei. Staying at Xiao Yu′s, a friend from junior high and now a bartender, Tien Tsai gets a part-time job at a gym. One day, he meets Bai Tie Nan, a notorious handsome playboy and falls in love with him. But after only a night together, Tie Nan disappears and Tien Tsai throws himself into deep despair. After quite some time, they meet again... This cute queer film shows a new challenge of Taiwanese independent cinema. Director DJ Chen intended to make a film to which the audiences can easily have access, and she achieved her aim with Formula 17, a low budget film. This film also shows that homosexual issues, previously known as taboo, have now become everyday matter. (Kim Ji-seok)