Taiwanese films in the recent years have been receiving more recognition for their effort in reviving the width and depth of Taiwan that many foreigners (or even Taiwanese themselves) did not see. Although keen film goers may be exposed to a few Taiwanese films during international film festivals such as the TWFF or VIFF in Canada, the appearance of such films even in large cinemas in Taiwan a few years back is close to non-existent. A year ago, you might still be hearing comments such as " What is there to see in Taiwanese films?" (國片有什麼好看的?) from a young or old Taiwanese. But with th surge of outstanding or eye-catching Taiwanese films in the past few years such as “Island Etude” (練習曲), “Cape No. 7” (海角七號), “Orz Boys” (冏男孩), “The Most Distant Course” (最遙遠的距離), “Secret” (不能說的秘密), “Keeping Watch” (沉睡的青春), “Spider Lily” (刺青), “Do Over” (一年之初), Taiwanese films have found their way of exploring the best the island has to offer in the stories they want to tell. The films might not have very impressive high-tech computer reworking, expensive sets or Oscar-winning custom designers. But with their limited budget, you will be surprised by how they achieve moments that could move its audience in ways like million-dollar films do.
For Taiwanese abroad, this patriotism has already spread far and wide. When one is away from one’s own place, one tends to see the value of one’s own culture, history and heritage more clearly than those who are immersed in it. That is why, when young students in Taiwan are going after Hollywood Blockbusters and wondering “What’s there to see in Taiwanese films?”, Taiwan student organizations in universities worldwide are already organizing events related to Taiwanese film screenings. In Canada, UBCLE of UBC also organized the first ever Taiwanese Film Festival in Canada back in 2007 (http://twff.ca/) that not only received substantial press coverage in media but also sparked local interests in Taiwanese films.
In Taiwan nowadays, when you talk about Taiwanese films, you will definitely hear a different voice. When you go to the large cinemas in Taipei on a weekend evening, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet the film director, production team, or actors/actresses of the film at the end of the screening. These small Q&A sessions in are not only means for the film crew to get closer to the audience and receive feedbacks but also as ways to assist with the promotion of the film (who doesn’t want to have a photo with the movie stars!).
The power of films is the moments that manage to strike a chord in viewers’ heart, a feeling that does not just last for a few seconds, but forever. With the recent Taiwanese films, you are bound to find some moments that could touch your heart. You would be surprised by how much you missed out on Taiwan by missing out on its films.
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Taken from Original publication by Tiffany Lee (perladipace).
刊登於多倫多大學台灣同學會 ROCSAUT 冬季社刊 2009.
Published in University of Toronto ROCSAUT (R.O.C. Student Association U. of Toronto) Publication Winter 2009.
