Taipei Film Festival to debut documentary “Soul of Soil”

台北影展首映紀錄片《種土》

Follow up film to "Let it Be" spends 8 years following organic fruit farmers


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Film Festival will host the world premiere of the documentary film "Soul of Soil,” from director Yen Lan-chuan (顏蘭權), chronicling the lives of two fruit farmers who use composting and organic farming practices to replenish exhausted farmland.

The film comes 20 years after Yen’s previous documentary “Let it Be,” which drew acclaim from both critics and the public for the realistic portrayal of the lives of three rice farmers in Tainan’s Houbi Village. Her film highlighted the hard work, sweat, and dedication required to produce top-quality rice.

In Yen’s new film, she returns to the topic of farming, this time examining the farming profession, beginning with the soil. Filmed over eight years, the film shows the trials and tribulations faced by farmers eager to earn a modest income while also giving back to their native land, per CNA.

A-ren (阿仁) is a middle-aged man who gave up a career as an engineer in the technology industry to move to his hometown of Kaohsiung to use urban waste to make compost and fertilize barren land. Six years ago, the creation of the Qiaotou Science Park ruined nearby rice fields due to flooding and the leaching away of important organic nutrients.

A-ren struggles to improve the soil and, at one point, is forced to discard 280,000 organically grown pineapples. Despite his valiant efforts to improve the soil and farm in harmony with the earth, he has no choice but to abandon his crop.

The other farmer in the film is An-he (安和), who began using organic farming methods 30 years ago. In the early days, his crop was ravaged by insects, leading to five years of failed harvests.

It wasn’t until the sixth year that they found that their soil had significantly recovered to produce viable crops such as organic honeydew. Gradually, the dirt on their farmland became soft and sustainable, with earthworms and other beneficial insects appearing.

“Soul of Soil” aims to inspire more people to be aware of the hardships of farming and producing the food necessary to sustain society. The film also implores viewers not to waste food and to consider alternatives to chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides.

The documentary film is also a call to action, inspiring Taiwanese citizens to take control of farmland degradation before it is too late. It encourages the audience to treasure and value the land they live on.

Made from 1,800 hours of footage, "Soul of Soil” will premier on Sunday 1 p.m. (June 30) at Vie Show Cinemas Taipei Hsinyi. For more information about the film including tickets please the festival’s website.