The Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa launched the 2011 Taiwan Film Festival at Ster-Kinekor’s Cinema Nouveau in the Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg, on 6 October. The Festival, which runs until 13 October, coincides with the Centennial Anniversary of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
A large contingent of guests joined members of the local Taiwanese community to watch the first of six films on the Festival programme, The Peach Blossom Land, a charming tale of two theatre groups competing for rehearsal time on the same stage. Wildly comic on the one hand, the film is deeply poignant on the other while simultaneously rooted in Taiwanese history.
Said Mr Chin-Ray Liu, the Representative of the Taipei Liaison Office: “For the last 60 year’s Taiwan’s movie industry has grown alongside the country’s economic development. Taiwan is now the number one producer in the world of computer hardware and the number two software producer.
“Each of the six films chosen for this Festival represents a different decade of Taiwan’s history. Today, our film industry faces stiff competition from Hollywood releases. However, it’s very encouraging that we have some young directors whose films are proving to be successful at the local at the box office.’
Also in attendance at the launch were the Taipei Liaison Office’s Director of Information, Mr Charles Ou, and Information Officer, Mr Alexander Chou.
Other films screening at the Festival include Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, Zoom Hunting by acclaimed director, ChoLi, No Pedo Vivir Sin Ti, Straw Man and Gangster Rock.
Entrance to the Taiwan Film Festival is free. For screening information log onto www.sterkinekor.com.
