2009 Taiwan Film Festival Comes to London

From the 20th to the 22nd of February 2009, Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, in collaboration with the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, will play host to the 2009 Taiwan Film Festival where the first ever screening in the UK of box office hit ‘Cape No. 7’ directed by Wei Te-sheng can be seen. The much-discussed film has grossed nearly 10 million pounds at the Taiwanese box office alone and is Taiwan’s submission in the category of best foreign-language film at the upcoming Academy Awards. Wei Te-sheng will be present at the screening to discuss his films and meet with enthusiasts and fans of his work.

This year, four captivating films have been selected to be screened at the Taiwan Film Festival. In addition to the highly successful ‘Cape No. 7’, there is the warm and touching ‘Orz Boyz’; the internationally critically acclaimed teenage film, ‘Winds of September’; and the new-style animation ‘Mazu’used to retell the legend of the goddess ‘Mazu’.

‘Cape No. 7’ is a romantic comedy about following one’s youthful dreams of love and music. The question everyone is now asking is, what has made this film so popular? Perhaps it is the storyline or the director’s grasp of the local dialect, or even the recurring shots of the natural landscape. Whatever it is, ‘Cape No. 7’ has proven to be a box office smash, winning six of the categories at the 45th Golden Horse Film Festival, including the award for the best male supporting role, the award for the best original soundtrack, the outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year and the Best Audience award.

The moving ‘Orz Boyz’, witnesses the life of two boys as they mature, leaving their childhood of taunting girls and playing pranks behind them. A film which can be enjoyed by old and young alike, this is a heartwarming tale which will certainly see the supporting actress who plays the role of grandma winning a Golden Horse award.

The ‘Winds of September’, by cutting-edge director Lin Shu-yu, follows the stories of nine teenagers as they grow up, and offers a particularly candid insight into their memories of high school. Having won awards at the Shanghai Film Festival and a Golden Horse award for the best original screenplay, this is one film which should not be missed.

Using new animation techniques, the legend of Mazu, the Daoist goddess of the sea, comes alive once more in a new form, giving audiences a completely fresh animation experience. Once more, this colourful film is for people of all ages, and one worth watching!

In the evening on the 20th of February, Riverside Studios will host the premiere of the ‘Cape No. 7’ which will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, Wei Te-sheng. For further information of the screening times for all other films at the festival, please visit the following website, http://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/cgi-bin/season.pl?f=2009%20Taiwan%20Film%20Festival or call 020 8237 1111. In addition, the film will also be screened at Asia House on the 21st of February at 2.30pm. Director Wei Te-sheng will be present to discuss the film and his upcoming projects. For further details, please visit their website, http://www.asiahouse.org/net/Events.aspx or call 020 7307 5454. In the afternoon on the 22nd of February, Cambridge University will also screen ‘Cape No. 7’, and will be followed once more by an informal discussion with the director, Wei Te-sheng. If you require any further information regarding the details of the screening of these films, please contact the relevant venue or alternatively contact the Press Division at the Taipei Representative Office in the UK at 020 78812676.

We look forward to seeing you there for what promises to be a captivating weekend of contemporary Taiwanese films!