Long lines and full houses have been the order of the day at one of the most influential film events in the Chinese-language movie industry, which will wrap Nov. 21 before continuing in the central Taiwan city of Taichung from Nov. 22 to Dec. 4.
In recent years, offerings from Hong Kong, South Korea and mainland China have dominated the headlines when it comes to regional film. But in 2008, it is Taiwan that is the belle of the ball, with "Cape No. 7" set for a theatrical release in mainland China (a feat unthinkable in the past) and yet-to-be-released "Miao Miao" picked up by international sales outfit, Fortissimo Films. "This year we're aiming to appeal to all generations of theatergoers," announced Patrick Jia, program director of the festival.
Movie fans have the chance to catch up with latest works from prominent filmmakers, such as Wim Wenders' "Palermo Shooting," Clint Eastwood's "Changeling" and Claude Lelouch's "Crossed Tracks." The classical section of the festival, "Salute to Masters," highlights Japanese director Kon Ichikawa (1915-2008) and French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville (1917-1973).
Ichikawa is known as one of the four masters in Japanese cinema, along with Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi and Yasujiro Ozu. He is famous for successfully bringing works of literature and detective novels to the silver screen, which are spiked with his unique sense of detachment and irony. Embraced by audiences in the 1950s and 1960s, Melville is perhaps best known for his masterpiece "The Samurai," which features Alain Delon at his sleekest and most lethal. The director is also considered to have been a great influence on the French New Wave movement. His 10 classic works, including "Bob the Gambler" and "Army of Shadows" will feature at this year's festival.
In terms of genres, the event is prepared to satisfy a wide range of audience tastes, from musicals to horror. The section "This is a Cabaret" features Farah Khan's latest Bollywood production, "Om Shanti Om," the top movie in India last year. For those who seek something a little more stimulating, seven movies in the section "Creepy Funky Sexy" will keep the audience on the edge of their seat. One of these, Jennifer Lynch's "Surveillance," won Best Film at the 2008 Spanish Sitges Film Festival, and South Korean crime thriller "The Chaser," was also crowned best movie at the country's annual film awards. Moreover, the "Documentary" section also presents an array of high-quality works. "Man on Wire" depicts French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's 1974 stunt of walking along a cable rigged between the Twin Towers in New York. The production won the best documentary at the 2008 Sun Dance Film Festival. Hollywood heavyweight director Martin Scorsese's "Shine a Light" captures the energy of The Rolling Stones in concert at New York's Beacon Theatre in 2006.
In an effort to turn a spotlight on Asian filmmaking, this year's festival targets Southeast Asia, presenting eight contemporary works from the region, including Thailand's epic "The Queens of Lang-kasuka" directed by Nonzee Nimibutr and the social-awareness flick "Sell Out" from Malaysia. But despite the strength of this section, program director Jia also believes the "Made in USA" is worth a look, stating "We aim to introduce important independent films from the United States to local movie lovers, which may equal or surpass better known Hollywood productions."
Another focus of the festival this year is animation master Aleksandr Petrov. In his 20 years of devotion to the art, the Russian only produced five animation works. But his original technique, which is to paint in oil colors on glass frames, has won international acclaim. Four of his previous efforts were nominated for Academy Awards, and his "The Old Man and the Sea" won an Oscar in 2000. The festival will present all of Petrov's animations, and the artist is scheduled to make an appearance at the event and meet audience members Nov. 14.
But the headline act for this year's festival is definitely the group of emerging local directors that have won the hearts and minds of fans and critics alike. The section "Chinese Language Films of the Year" presents "Cape No. 7," "Winds of September" and "Orz Boyz," which all became hits in 2008. The surprise selection to open the festival was local director Chung Mong-hong's black comedy, "Parking"--a film about a divorced man searching for the owner of a car that double parks next to his, preventing his exit and reunification with his wife.
Screened at Cannes this year in a selection of films that highlight the diversity of world cinema, Chung's first feature offering showcases a mature style that has already won good reviews. Jiao Xiong-ping, chairwoman of the Golden Horse Film Awards, praised the movie as being one of the best produced in Taiwan this year, with tickets for the screening selling out on the first day. Noted documentary maker Yang Li-chou also brought his latest work, "Beyond the Arctic," which records how three Taiwanese athletes completed a 600-kilometer journey in the Polar-Challenge Competition.
The richness and energy of Taiwan cinema this year is reflected in the nomination list for this year's Golden Horse Awards. "For local productions, this is a great leap forward," commented Jiao while announcing nominations Oct. 30.
Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng's "Cape No. 7" garnered nine nominations, including Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year, Best Cinematography, Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Original Film Score and Best Soundtrack. Three cast members are also up for awards, with Chie Tanaka and Lin Chung-jen both nominated for Best New Performer, and Ma Ju-long, Best Supporting Actor.
"Despite this movie experiencing many difficulties on its way to success, we have now earned recognition from both the audience and the critics," Wei said, who was nominated for Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year.
Another two local productions also attracted the attentions of the jury. Yang Ya-je's "Orz Boyz" captured nominations for Best Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay, and Lin Shu-yu's "Winds of September" is up for Best Original Screenplay.
With the number of quality local productions on the rise this year, it is only logical this is reflected by their lion's share of award nominations. "Of the total 115 films submitted, domestic productions accounted for 57, including 18 out of 71 feature films, six out of 10 documentaries, and 33 out of 34 short films," stated Vanessa Yea-ping Shih, minister of the Government Information Office. Shih added that the "quality of these and many other domestic entries in this year's Golden Horse Awards Competition inspires confidence, and that as along as our industry professionals continue taking to heart the competition's motto [advance courageously like the galloping golden horse], Taiwan's cinema will have a bright future."
In previous years, filmmakers from abroad usually dominated the Golden Horse nomination list, however, this year "productions from Taiwan, Hong Kong and [mainland] China are fairly evenly matched," Jiao pointed out. Despite the fact that local productions now occupy a prominent position on the list, "The Warlords," a historical movie directed by Hong Kong's Chan Ho-sun, still took 12 nominations. The mainland Chinese production "The Assembly," which depicts the Chinese civil war, also bagged six nominations.
With local offerings still up against strong foreign competition, it remains to be seen whether local champions such as "Cape No.7" can walk away with a clutch of awards as anticipated by the public. For Taiwan's film industry heavyweights, they are certainly hoping that the judges will score the cards in their favor at the awards ceremony Dec. 6 in Taichung City's Chungshan Hall.
Write to Amber Wu at amber0207@mail.gio.gov.tw