Boston to hold first Taiwan film festival in May

波士頓將於5月舉辦首屆台灣影展

The city’s renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology will host the inaugural Taiwan Film Festival


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Massachusetts Institute of Technology is to host the U.S. city of Boston’s first ever Taiwan film festival in May, which will feature six critically-acclaimed documentaries, as well as discussion sessions with directors and producers.

The inaugural Taiwan Film Festival will be held on May 26-27 and aims to raise awareness about some of the country’s past and present social struggles. The six featured films showcase a diverse set of real-life stories that chronicle poignant journeys and elicit intellectual reflection.

“Our Youth in Taiwan” recounts the student-led Sunflower Movement, while “Lost Black Cats 35th Squadron” offers a glimpse into the lives of pilots during a secret Cold War mission. “Father” explores the attempts of a master puppeteer to build a family legacy and preserve a disappearing craft, while “Silent Teacher” narrates the story of a dead woman whose body is being used for medical dissection.

“A Journey with Invisible Friends” explores the nature of karma and causality as a man works toward healing historical wounds inflicted on the indigenous Siraya tribe. Finally, “Late Life: Then Chien-Ming Wang Story” depicts a baseball star’s struggle for redemption following a career-threatening injury.

The festival spotlights the talents of young Taiwan directors and producers who are exploring the country’s historical transformation, through colonialism and authoritarian rule, and its current, blooming democracy.

In addition to on-site discussion sessions at the university, the director of “Lost Black Cats 35th Squadron” will give a talk in Boston’s China Town about some of the behind-the-scenes stories.

Taiwanese cinema has made waves overseas in recent years, with Taiwan film festivals cropping up in Los Angeles, Vancouver, the U.K. and Iceland. Taiwan was also put on center stage at the illustrious Three Continents Festival, in Nantes last year.

More information about the 2019 Taiwan Film Festival in Boston can be found on the event’s website.