Officials with the Taipei Film Commission and Ile de France Film Commission signed an agreement on film industry collaboration Sept. 1, to encourage co-productions and enhance talent exchanges.
“Paris is a major cultural center, and 90 percent of European movies are connected to it in one way or another, while Taipei is one of the most creative cities within the Chinese cultural circle,” Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin, who doubles as TFC chairman, said.
“This agreement has very positive meaning in terms of cultural exchanges and film industry development, and can help promote people-to-people contacts between the two cities,” Hau pointed out.
The TFC became the first film commission in Asia to work with IDF, which also has collaborative arrangements with the Berlin-Brandenburg Film Commission, Madrid Film Commission and Rome Lazio Film Commission.
“France has always been very interested in Taiwanese films. ‘Flight of the Red Ballon’ by Hou Hsiao-hsien and ‘Face’ by Tsai Ming-liang were both strongly supported by our commission when they were shown in France,” Olivier-Rene Veillon, executive director of the IDF Film Commission, noted.
Collaboration “can give new energy to both cinemas,” Veillon said, adding that “through this cooperation, we hope to stimulate the production of creative, original movies that audiences will find attractive.”
“I find Taipei a fantastic city, with one of the most beautiful museums in the world. The Louvre Museum in Paris and National Palace Museum are two of the most famous in the world. This is also something we have in common,” Veillon pointed out.
Besides cultural and talent exchanges, the two sides will share experience and knowledge regarding 3D film production and “green shooting,” to promote awareness of environmental protection. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw