Diversity in Taiwan fest
In art, as in life, variety makes a world of difference.
Wellington Wei, director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, said this year’s Taiwan Film Festival, ongoing at the Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex till Oct. 26 to mark Taiwan’s centennial, showcases diversity.
Most of the five feature films and four shorts lined up have received awards in Taiwan and other countries. Last year’s festival highlighted youth flicks and romantic comedies. This year, organizers picked films about people from all walks of life, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Opening film on Thursday was Wi Ding Ho’s “Pinoy Sunday,” which top-bills Filipino actors Epy Quizon and Bayani Agbayani as migrant workers.
“Pinoy Sunday” won best new director at the Golden Horse Awards and special mention and industry award for narrative feature at the Taipei International Film Festival last year.
The other feature films in the current fest were earlier shown in major festivals—Hou Hsiao Hsien’s “Three Times” in Cannes in 2005 and Cho Li’s “Zoom Hunting” in Tokyo and Busan last year.
Actor-director Leon Dai’s “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” won the grand prize at the Skip City International D-Cinema in Japan, plus best director, film and screenplay at the Golden Horse Awards in 2009.
Popular fare
“Three Times” won best actress for sexy star Shu Qi and best Taiwanese film and filmmaker at the Golden Horse Awards in 2005.
Apart from the erotic films “Three Times” and “Zoom Hunting,” another popular fare is Chie Jen Hao’s “Gangster Rock” with Van Fan, who starred in Wei Te Sheng’s “Cape No. 7,” a hit in last year’s fest.
The short films and docus are award winners as well, Wei noted.
Lee Yun Chan’s “The Magical Washing Machine” was best short film at the Golden Horse in 2004. Wi Ding Ho’s “Respire” was 2005 Kodak Discovery best short film in Cannes.
Lin Chien Ping’s “Small Station” won the 2005 Leone Citroen best short film award in Venice. Lin Yu Hsien’s “Jump! Boys” won the Swarovski honorable mention at the Asian First Film Festival and Golden Horse best docu in 2005.
