Thursday, October 11, 2007

Press Release -- Taiwan Cultural Festival brings Taiwan to Utah

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2007

Taiwan Cultural Festival brings Taiwan to Utah, Oct 15-20

Salt Lake City, UT – Starting mid-October, the Salt Lake County and the Utah Taiwanese community will host a Taiwan Cultural Festival at various locations. This festival will captivate all your senses with Taiwanese films, art, music, and cuisine - all especially flown in for this weeklong celebration.

The Taiwan Cultural Festival includes some of Taiwan’s leading contemporary non-fiction and narrative filmmakers, the internationally recognized Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company, Taiwan’s premiere pan flute artist, Chung Li Chang, tea masters Mr. and Mrs. Hsien Tong Lin; and the retired chef of world famous Din Tai Fung Restaurant, Mr. Chang Jui-Ching. Throughout the week, there will be tea ceremonies, pan flute concerts, dumpling demonstrations, film screenings, and puppet shows to will enchant the young and old alike.

The film screening portion of the Taiwan Cultural Festival consists of two sets of films. The Contemporary Film Series, part of the 2007 Taiwan Film Festival (http://2007tff.blogspot.com), will showcase feature and documentary films that reflect the quality, range and vitality of contemporary Taiwanese film-making, while Taiwan Masters will focus on classic Taiwanese movies since the New Wave, featuring works from world renown directors Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang. In addition, directors Cheng Wen-tang, Monika Treut, Chuan Chung, and famous Taiwan documentary producer Sylvia Feng will be in attendance.

The festival is the first comprehensive cultural celebration of Taiwanese Culture in Utah. Utah’s Taiwanese community formed in the early 1960’s as students came overseas to attend Utah’s universities, many remaining after graduation. Four decades later, a generation of Taiwanese Americans calls Utah their home and strong sister city and sister county ties have formed between different regions of Utah and Taiwan.

For more information, please check: http://2007tff.blogspot.com/2007/09/taiwan-cultural-festival-in-salt-lake.html.


Media Contacts:

Max Chang
maxchang11 AT aol.com
801-554-5824

Geralyn Dreyfous
gdreyfous AT slcfilmcenter.org
801-746-7000

Jennifer Jordan
jjordank2 AT hotmail.com
801 -230-4579

Press Release -- 猶他州台灣文化節

駐舊金山台北經濟文化辦事處新聞組新聞稿

日期:2007年10月5日
聯絡人:吳秘書芬滿
電話: 415-364-5602
猶他州台灣文化節

猶他州「台灣文化節」將於10月15日至20日熱烈展開。文化節的活動將包括電影、布袋戲、台灣美食、茶藝和排笛。這一週的活動將為猶他州帶來極具台灣特色的美麗文化。

這次文化節的緣起推手,是長居鹽湖城逾40多年的台灣鄉親張李效群,在她努力奔走,以及舊金山經文處新聞組全力協助下,獲得台灣行政院新聞局大力支持贊助,文建會及觀光局等共襄盛舉;也爭取到猶他州縣市各級政府機構和文化團體積極贊助支援。鹽湖縣政府、西谷市政府、鹽湖城電影中心更是重視台灣文化節,以此系列活動,為大鹽湖區帶來一場文化盛宴。

鹽湖城電影中心的執行長、奧斯卡金像獎得主Geralyn Dreyfous指出,在電影節活動部份,將於10月15至17日在猶他大學、楊百翰大學、猶他社區學院、西敏學院及日舞戲院等,放映台灣甚受國際矚目的新銳導演新作,18至20日則在Rose Wagner Center,放映侯孝賢、李安、楊德昌及蔡明亮等台灣電影大師的經典作品。為讓觀眾透過影像深入了解台灣電影及社會文化,在川流基金會的贊助下,文化節也邀請到知名導演鄭文堂、鍾權、Monika Treut、製片人馮賢賢及劉毓雯,加州大學洛杉磯分校影劇教授Brian Hu親臨放映現場,與觀眾、學生及教授進一步暢談及討論。

布袋戲泰斗李天祿的門生黃武山,將率領台原偶戲團表演「台灣偶戲之美」,介紹這個綜合音樂、雕塑、服飾、刺繡、彩繪、手藝及口語藝術的台灣布袋戲,除了兩場正式的公演,台原偶戲團將特別為小學生及兒童醫院的小孩,作兩場溫馨感人的義演,傳送來自台灣親切的關懷和愛心。

台灣美食將由前任鼎泰豐主廚的張瑞慶師傅領軍,率領陳文欽師傅及兩位助理獻演小籠包、燒賣、蝦餃、燒餅為主的點心美食。加州Santa Barbara的知名廚藝師Peter Chen也熱心的拔刀相助,專程到鹽湖城支援,精製多種可口的台灣小菜,以與點心美食相益得彰。另外國際知名的排笛音樂家張中立將演奏台灣及古典樂曲、來自南投鹿谷的茶藝師林獻堂夫婦也將展演台灣茶藝的緻微之美。

在政府及民間戮力合作下,如此大型的台灣文化節得以在猶他州熱烈展開,大鹽湖區的鄉親和企業,出錢出力,共襄盛舉,希望藉這樣的活動,使大家更進一步了解台灣的文化歷史,爭取他們的友誼,在國際上支持台灣。

猶他州台灣文化節活動內容,請見http://2007tff.blogspot.com/2007/09/taiwan-cultural-festival-in-salt-lake.html.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Press Release (Mandarin) - for Bay Area

駐舊金山台北經濟文化辦事處新聞稿

日期:2007年9月27日
聯絡人:吳秘書芬滿
電話: 415-364-5602

2007年台灣電影巡迴展

由川流基金會、亞洲協會及駐舊金山台北經濟文化辦事處主辦的「2007年台灣電影巡迴展」10月7日在史丹佛大學首映,10日至13日在加州大學戴維斯分校映演,15日接續巡演鹽湖城、奧勒岡大學及華盛頓大學。共將放映13部足以展現當代台灣電影深度、廣度及生命力的劇情片與紀錄片。

繼去年電影巡迴展對台灣電影的崛起及演變作全面性介紹之後,今年電影節活動則以深獲國際矚目的台灣新銳導演近作為主軸,透過多元的影片拍攝題材,導演透過鏡頭述說被人忽略的台灣歷史、走遍台灣鄉鎮尋找深層的自我、城市人的心事獨白,未受重視團體的奮鬥掙扎,甚而探討國際認知模糊的台灣主體性及認同議題。

10月7日在史丹佛大學放映的影片包括「綠的海平線」、「台北京之比賽」及「人間喜劇」等3部,「綠」片導演郭亮吟及製片藤田修平、「人」片導演鴻鴻將專程造訪舊金山,出席影片放映,並於放映後,與現場觀眾對談。

10月10日至13日在加州大學戴維斯分校放映,影片包括「綠的海平線」、「人間喜劇」、「母老虎飛飛飛」、「最好的時光」、「黑暗視界」、「盛夏光年」、「台北京之比賽」及「深海」等8部,除上述3位導演及製片將出席與會之外,德國導演 Monika Treut、鄭文堂導演及知名的台灣紀錄片製作人馮賢賢也將出席戴維斯分校的影片放映並與觀眾暢談台灣電影工業的發展及拍片心得。

結束在舊金山灣區的映演之後,台灣電影節活動將於15日於鹽湖城、奧勒岡大學及華盛頓大學接續巡演至21日為止。

電影節所有活動皆免費入場,網址:2007tff.blogspot.com.

台灣電影巡迴展海報,可至 http://2007tff.blogspot.com/2007/09/2007-taiwan-film-festival-poster.html 下載。

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Press Release: 2007 Taiwan Film Festival Commences

For Immediate Release
September 26, 2007

Media Contact:
Fenman Wu
fenmann AT gmail.com
1.415.364.5602

Claire Hong
claire.claire AT gmail.com
1.832.330.9596

Jennie Chuang
jennie.chuang AT gmail.com
1.415.364.5604


2007 Taiwan Film Festival Commences

San Francisco, CA – The 2007 Taiwan Film Festival, to be held at Stanford University (10/7), UC Davis (10/10-13), Salt Lake City Film Center (10/15-17), University of Oregon (10/18-20), and the University of Washington (10/19-21), will showcase thirteen feature and documentary films that reflect the quality, range, and vitality of contemporary Taiwanese film-making.

While the 2006 Taiwan Film Festival took a retrospective tour of Taiwanese films, this year’s festival features the young and upcoming film directors who have created independent, documentary and experimental films that attract international attention. This year’s filmmakers bring stories to the screens which oftentimes challenge the Taiwanese comfort levels and de-facto global impressions of Taiwan. The various genres not only add to the breadth of the Taiwanese film industry, but give voice to otherwise marginalized groups.

Directors Hung Hung, Cheng Wen-tang, Monika Treut, Kuo Liang-Yin, Chuan Chung, and famous Taiwan documentary producer Sylvia Feng will be in attendance.

FILM TITLES

Features
The Human Comedy (2001), director Hung Hung
Blue Cha Cha (2005), director Cheng Wen-Tang
Three Times (2006), director Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Eternal Summer (2006), director Leste Chen
Island Etude (2007), director En Chen
The Touch of Fate (2006), director Pan Chih-Yuan
Amour-LEGENDE (2005), director Wu Mi-Sen

Documentaries
Vision of Darkness (2005), director Zero Zhou
The Squid Daddy's Labor Room (2007), director Ko Chin-Yuan
Tigerwomen Grow Wings (2005), director Monika Treut
Shonenko (2006), director Kuo Liang-Yin
The Affairs of Three Cities: The Game (2006), director Chung Chuan
Radio Mihu (2004), director Lee Chung-Wang

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

2007 Taiwan Film Festival poster

size:8"x10"(original 16"x20")/RGB JPG 300dpi
Courtesy 2007 Taiwan Film Festival



Monday, September 10, 2007

Screening Schedule - Stanford University

Stanford University

Presented by:
Center for East Asian Studies

Screening Venue:
Cubberley Auditorium, 485 Lausen Mall, Stanford University

10/7
2:00 pm Shonenko

3:20 pm Affair of Three Cities: the Game

4:30 pm Discussion with Shonenko director. Moderator: Prof. Melissa Brown

7:00 pm The Human Comedy

9:00 pm Discussion with director. Moderator: Prof. Ban Wang

All events will take place at Cubberley Auditorium, Stanford University

For information, please call 650-723-3363

Screening Schedule - University of California, Davis

University of California, Davis

Presented and locally sponsored in part by :
Comparative Literature Program
Film Studies Program
East Asian Studies Program


Screening Venue: Haring Hall, Room 1227

10/10
4:00 pm Guest speaker, Professor Ban Wang
(Stanford University)

5:30 pm Open reception

6:30 pm Opening remarks by Sheldon Lu, Professor of Comparative Literature
6:30 pm Shonenko
Q&A with director after screening

8:00 pm The Human Comedy
Q&A with director after screening

10/11
6:00 pm Tigerwomen Grow Wings
Q&A with director after screening

8:00 pm Three Times

10/12
6:00 pm Visions of Darkness
Q&A with producer after screening

8:00 pm Eternal Summer

10/13
2:30 pm The Affairs of Three Cities: The Game

4:00 pm Break

5:00 pm Blue Cha Cha
Q&A with director after screening

Closing Reception to follow

For information, please call 530-754-7216 or email vvwalzberg@ucdavis.edu.

Screening Schedule - Salt Lake City Film Center

Presented By:
Salt Lake City Film Center

Screening Venue:
Sundance Screening Room, Provo
Post Theater, University of Utah
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Peery Theater, Ogden
Salt Lake City Community College (SLCC)

10/15
12:00 pm Eternal Summer (Post Theater)
2:00 pm Amour Legende (Post Theater)
4:00 pm Reception (Sundance Screening Room)
4:30 pm Three Times (Post Theater)
6:00 pm Squid Daddy's Labor Room (Sundance Screening Room)
with producer Sylvia Feng
7:00 pm Amour Legende (Peery Theater)
7:30 pm Island Etude (Post Theater)
7:30 pm Blue Cha Cha (Sundance Screening Room)
with director Cheng Wen- tang

10/16
12:00 pm Shonenko (Post Theater)
1:30 pm Vision of Darkness (Post Theater)
with Sylvia Feng
1:00 pm Squid Daddy's Labor Room (Westminister College)
3:30 pm Blue Cha Cha (Post Theater)
5:30 pm Squid Daddy's Labor Room (SLCC)
7:00 pm Three Times (Peery Theater)
7:30 pm Tigerwomen Grow Wings (UMFA)
with Director and producer

10/17
10:30 am Affair of Three Cities: The Game (Post Theater)
with director Chuan Chung
1:00 pm Squid Daddy’s Labor Room (Post Theater)
with Producer Sylvia Feng
3:30 pm Radio Mihu (Post Theater)
3:30 pm Radio Mihu (SLCC)
7:00 pm The Human Comedy (Post Theater)


The 2007 Taiwan Film Festival in Salt Lake City is part of the Taiwan Cultural Festival (October 15 -21).

Taiwan Cultural Festival in Salt Lake City

The 2007 Taiwan Film Festival in Salt Lake City is part of the Taiwan Cultural Festival. Please click on the image or follow the PDF link to view the poster.





Salt Lake City Taiwan Cultural Festival Poster [PDF] (10878K)

Welcoming remarks for the Salt Lake City Taiwan Cultural Festival --

Salt Lake County and the Utah Taiwanese community invite the public to share and experience a cornucopia of Taiwanese film, performing, musical and culinary arts during the Taiwan Cultural Festival, October 15-20, 2007 in Salt Lake City. We are thrilled to be hosting Mayor Lee of Nantou County, Salt Lake County’s sister county. Nantou and West Valley City are also sister cities. We will also be hosting some of Taiwan’s leading contemporary non fiction and narrative filmmakers, the internationally recognized Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company, Taiwan’s premiere pan flute artist, Chung Li Chang, tea masters Mr. and Mrs. Hsien Tong Lin; and retired and revered chef of Din Tai Fung, Chang Jui-Ching. Throughout the week there will be tea ceremonies, pan flute concerts, dumpling demonstrations, film screenings and master classes, and puppet shows that will enchant the young and old.

The Utah Taiwanese community started forming in the early 1960’s as part of the “brain drain” phenomenon that hit East Asian countries. An influx of Taiwanese university and graduate students came to attend Utah’s major universities. Eventually, many of these students chose to permanently reside in Utah to work and raise their families. Over forty years later, a full generation of Taiwanese
Americans have been born and raised in Utah and this is the first cultural celebration of its kind.

We hope you join us in what promises to be remarkable celebration of Taiwanese culture and a vibrant Taiwanese American community here in Utah. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to share the best of what autumn brings to Utah with our sister city, county and countrymen from Taiwan.

Sincerely,

Honorary Co-Chairs Mayor Peter Corroon, Mayor Dennis Nordfelt, and Beatrice Chang


Click here to view Salt Lake City Screening Schedule

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Screening Schedule - University of Oregon

University of Oregon

Presented by:
Center for Asian and Pacific Studies (CAPS)
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL)


Screening Venues:
LILLIS HALL 182 Jim & Shirley Ripley Auditorium (feature films)
Room 128, The Chiles Business Center (documentary films)
[For University of Oregon campus map, click here.

Local Sponsors:
Asian Studies
International Resource Center

10/18
4:00 pm Island Etude (182 Lillis)

6:00 pm Opening Reception (Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art)

7:00 pm Tigerwomen Grow Wings (128 Chiles)
Q&A with Monika Treut (director) after screening

10/19
5:15 pm Vision of Darkness (128 Chiles)
Q&A with Sylvia Feng (producer) after screening

7:00 pm Eternal Summer (182 Lillis)

10/20
12:00 pm Shonenko (128 Chiles)

1:30 pm The Touch of Fate (182 Lillis)

3:30 pm Radio Mihu (128 Chiles)

6:00 pm Three Times (182 Lillis)


For information, please call 541-346-1521 or email caps@uoregon.edu.

Screening Schedule - University of Washington

University of Washington

Presented by:
East Asia Center
China Studies Program

Screening Venue:
Communications Building, Room 120

10/19
6:30pm Introduction, Lecture by Yomi Braester,
Professor of Asian Languages and Literature
Communications, Room 120

7:00 pm Eternal Summer

9:00 pm Shonenko

10/20
4:00 pm The Touch of Fate

5:30 pm Reception, Communication, Room 126

6:30 pm Blue Cha Cha
Q & A with director after screening

9:00 pm Vision of Darkness
Q & A with producer after screening

10/21
4:00 pm The Affairs of Three Cities: The Game
Q& A with director and producer after screening

6:00 pm Three Times

8:30 pm Amour Legende

For information, please call 206-543-6938 or email eacenter@u.washington.edu

Press Images - Film Stills

All these high quality film stills are for media use only. The filmmakers own the copyrights.

Radio Mihu


The Rhythm in Wulu Village


Tigerwomen Grow Wings


SHONENKO
Photo courtesy Mr. Wu, Chun-Sheng

The Squid Daddy’s Labor Room




Vision of Darkness



Amour Legende


The Touch of Fate



Eternal Summer


Blue Cha Cha



Island Etude


Human Comedy

Three Times

Friday, September 7, 2007

Human Comedy 《人間喜劇》





















THE HUMAN COMEDY 《人間喜劇》
116 min
Directed by Hung Hung
導演 鴻鴻 (2001)

Departing stylistically from the long-take, deep-focus norm of Taiwanese New Cinema, The Human Comedy brings the viewer much closer to the characters. A portrait of a postmodern Taiwan at the beginning of this millennium, the film weaves four different story lines loosely based on anecdotes from The Book of 24 Filial Pieties, a classic compilation of Confucian moral fables. Four stories are presented in seven interrelated episodes, affording viewers glimpses into the disintegrating social bonds of a traditional society in transition.

Director Hung Hung in person

Screening time and venue:
Stanford University October 7, 7:00 pm, Cubberley Auditorium
UC Davis , October 10, 8:00 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 17, 7:00 pm, Post Theater

Blue Cha Cha 《深海》















Blue Cha Cha 《深海》
108 min
By Cheng Wen-tang
鄭文堂
2005

Ah-Yu, just out of prison, travels to Kaoshiung to stay with her former cellmate, Anne. Depressed and closed off from the world, Ah-Yu meets two very different men: one a businessman, seemingly charming and mature; the other a young factory supervisor with a promising future. She begins short-lived affairs with both, but neither man gives her what she needs. Only upon returning to Anne’s home does she begin to unravel her tangled feelings. Blue Cha-cha is an illuminating and disquieting love-story.


Director Cheng Wen-tang in person

Screening time and venue:
UC Davis, October 13, 5:00 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 15, 7:30 pm, Sundance Screening Room
SLC Film Center, October 16, 3:30 pm, Post Theater
U of Washington, October 20, 6:30 pm, COM 120

Three Times 《最好的時光》















THREE TIMES 《最好的時光》
132 min
Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien
導演 侯孝賢
2005

Three Times, Hou Hsiao-hsien’s latest work, chronicles three lyrical tales of love set in different eras (1911, 1966, and 2005), each featuring Shu Qi and Chen Chang as its main couple. As the director explains, “It seems to me that by contrasting love stories from three different times, we can feel how people’s behavior is circumscribed by the times and places they live in.” A work of hypnotizing beauty, the film casts a backward gaze at Taiwan’s past and at Hou’s own career, tying together his earlier investigations of history with his recent turn towards contemporary urban life.

Screening time and venue:
UC Davis, October 11, 8:00 pm, Haring 1227
Salt Lake City, October 15, 4:30 pm, Post Theater
Salt Lake City, October 16, 7:00 pm, Peery Theater
U of Oregon, October 20, 6:00 pm, 182 Lillis
U of Washington, October 21, 6:00 pm, COM 120

Eternal Summer 《盛夏光年》


Eternal Summer 《盛夏光年》
95 min
By Leste Chen
陳正道
2006

This coming-of-age tale begins when two very different elementary school boys, the rebellious Shane and the studious Jonathan, are paired up during a class exercise. An unlikely but close friendship forms between them. However, complications arise with the arrival of Carrie during their senior year in high school: Carrie falls for Jonathan but realizes that her feelings are not returned; instead Jonathan's romantic interest lies with Shane. A love triangle develops when Carrie then turns to Shane for affection, causing an explosion of pent-up longings.


Screening time and venue:

UC Davis, October 12, 8:00 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 15, 12:00 pm, Post Theater
U of Oregon, October 19, 7:00 pm, 182 Lillis
U of Washington, October 19, 7:00 pm, COM 120

Vision of Darkness 《黑暗視界》















Vision of Darkness 《黑暗視界》
49 min
Chou Zero 周美玲
2005

“What does ‘seeing’ feel like?” This is the question posed by a group of visually impaired children as they explore a video camera with their hands, trying to understand what “filming” is all about. Vision of Darkness takes the audiences into the lives of these children. In their world, being able to “see” is strange and incomprehensible. One young boy uses different tastes to understand the world – “apartments are sour, high rise buildings are bitter, etc.” Their thoughts and curiosity give this documentary a surprising philosophical depth, opening the eyes of the viewer to the limits, and strengths, these children share.

Producer Sylvia Feng in person

Screening time and venue:
UC Davis, October 12, 6:30 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 16, 1:30 pm, Post Theater
University of Oregon, October 19, 5:15 pm, 128 Chiles
U of Washington, October 20, 9:00 pm, COM 120

The Squid Daddy’s Labor Room 《產房》















The Squid Daddy’s Labor Room 《產房》
60 min
By Ke Chin-Yuan 柯金源
2007

This ecological documentary tells the story of a conservationist’s quest to recreate the spawning grounds for squids off the northeastern coast of Taiwan. With the help of a passionate team of volunteers, marine conservationist Kuo Tao-ren cuts bamboo from the mountain and use it to create new spawning reefs at the bottom of the sea. Director Ko Jin-Yuan winningly captures the team’s efforts and success in reviving the squid population as well as the astounding beauty of the ocean.

Producer Sylvia Feng in person

Screening time and venue:
SLC Film Center, October 15, 6:00 pm, Sundance Screening Room
SLC Film Center, October 16, 2:00 pm, Westminister College
SLC Film Center, October 16, 5:30 pm, SLCC
SLC Film Center, October 17, 1:00 pm, Post Theater

Amour Legende 《松鼠自殺事件》















Amour Legende 《松鼠自殺事件》
118 min
By WU Mi-Sen 吳米森
2005

Taiwanese director Wu Mi-Sen's labyrinthine, amnesiac drama Amour-Legende centers on Oshima, a married man caught in an illicit affair with a young woman named May. They flee Oshima's family in Taipei City and head for Snow Mountain in South America. They journey through rugged and inhospitable terrain and Oshima slips into unconsciousness. He wakes to find Coco, with May nowhere in sight. Together they continue the journey to Snow Mountain in search of May. En route, they hear tales of how the same journey has shattered the illusions of happiness for other couples.

Screening time and venue:
SLC Film Center, October 15, 2:00pm Post Theater
SLC Film Center, October 15, 7:00pm Peery Theater
U of Washington, October 21, 8:30pm COM120

The Touch of Fate 《指間的重量》















The Touch of Fate 《指間的重量》
90 min
By Pan Chih-Yuan 潘志遠
2006

Da Yu, a 15-year-old boy, wanders aimlessly in the lonely city. He is socially awkward and considered a problem student. One day, facing the insults of his teacher, Da Yu explodes with violence and rushes away from his old life. He meets A Li and Lao Liao, small-time criminals who have a father and son relationship and welcome Da Yu into their unusual household. As Du Yu’s education as a budding thief progresses, his presence begins to offer both men a chance for salvation.

Screening time and venue:
University of Oregon, October 20, 1:30pm, 182 Lillis
U of Washington, October 20, 4:00pm, COM120

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Thursday, September 6, 2007

SHONENKO 《綠的海平線》















SHONENKO 《綠的海平線》
64 min
by Kuo Liang-Yin 郭亮吟
2006
Photo courtesy Mr. Wu, Chun-Sheng 照片提供:吳春生先生

Shonenko exposes the remarkable story of Taiwanese child laborers (shonenko) during the World War II. Boys 12 to 14 were sent to Japan to work on the Japanese naval arsenals and to build fighter planes. They left their families, homelands, and childhood with the promise of receiving an education in Japan. But their dreams were shattered – first by the war and again by cruel post-war politics in Taiwan, Japan, and China.

Director Liang-yin Kuo in person

Screening time and venue:
Stanford University, October 7, 2:00 pm, Cubberley Auditorium
UC Davis, October 10, 6:30 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 16, 12:00pm, Post Theater
U of Oregon, October 20, 12:00 pm, 128 Chiles
U of Washington, october 19, 9:00 pm, COM 120

Tigerwomen Grow Wings 《母老虎飛飛飛》


Tigerwomen Grow Wings 《母老虎飛飛飛》
83 min
by Monica Treut
2005 

Iconic German director Monika Treut here turns her lens on Taiwan, examining the lives of three women of differing generations against the backdrop of the country’s socio-political changes and the campaign for the 2004 presidential election. The film offers sensitive and affecting portraits of these strong and courageous women – the famous Taiwanese opera singer Hsieh Yue-hsia, the award-winning novelist Li Ang, and the up-and-coming young filmmaker Chen Ying-rong. Through their eyes and stories, the viewer witnesses the changes and conflict in Taiwanese society, as well as the raucous campaigning typical of Taiwan’s elections.

Director Monika Treut in person


Screening time and venue:
UC Davis, October 11, 6:00 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 16, 7:30 pm, UMFA
U of Oregon, October 18, 7:00 pm, 128 Chiles

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Radio Mihu 《部落之音》


Radio Mihu 《部落之音》
136 min
by Lee Jong-Wang
李中旺
2004

"Good morning, radio land. You're listening to Radio Mihu, and this is Bayas. Today we're going to talk about pears, persimmons, and some gossip about mudflows ..." Sharply and jokingly, Bayas tells the story of the reconstruction after the Sept. 21, 1999 earthquake in the Mihu tribal region. The word "mihu" means “to make up for each other’s deficiencies and create a new homeland.” But due to limited resources and rival visions of the future, not all the tribe’s people participate in the reconstruction. Radio Mihu explores these community divisions and the threat they pose to the future of the Mihu people.

Screening time and venue:
SLC Film Center, October 17, 3:30 pm, Post Theater
SLC Film Center, October 17, 5:30 pm, SLCC
U of Oregon, October 20, 3:30 pm, 128, Chiles

The Affairs of Three Cities:The Game 《台北京之比賽》

















The Affairs of Three Cities:The Game 《台北京之比賽》
66 min
By Chuan Chung 鍾權
2006

This documentary uses baseball – the universal game – as a lense for examining political and cultural tensions between China, Taiwan, and Japan. In the summer of 2004, baseball teams from Taipei and Beijing each played home games with Japan. During the World Baseball Classics in 2006, the story takes us to Tokyo where the same matches are repeated. Intriguingly, baseball becomes a means for transcending differences in some cases while reinforcing them in others.

Director Chuan Chung in person, except Stanford University

Screening time and venue:
Stanford University, October 7, 3:20 pm, Cubberley Auditorium
UC Davis, October 13, 2:30 pm, Haring 1227
SLC Film Center, October 17, 10:30 am, Post Theater
U of Washington, October 21, 4:00 pm, COM 120

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Island Etude 《練習曲》












Island Etude 《練習曲》
108 min
By En Chen 陳懷恩
2007

Island Etude follows the travels of Ming-Hsiang, a determined young man with a hearing problem. Circling the island of Taiwan on his bike, he meets a wonderful array of new friends. The warmth and sensitivity of the interactions between Ming-Hsiang and the people he meets, together with the strikingly beautiful coastline, makes Island Etude a wonderful introduction to the island of Formosa and its people.

Screening time and venue:
SLC Film Center, October 15, 7:30 pm, Post Theater
U of Oregon, October 18, 4:00 pm, 182 Lillis

Announcing 2007 Taiwan Film Festival

The 2007 Taiwan Film Festival is scheduled to take place in 5 locations in October.

Stanford University (Palo Alto)
University of California, Davis (Davis)
Salt Lake City Film Center (Salt Lake City)
University of Oregon (Eugene)
University of Washington (Seattle)


More details to come. Please check back from time to time.

Friday, August 31, 2007