2026/2/12
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Taiwan Academy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles has partnered with several Southern California universities—including UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, UCI, and Chapman University—to host a three-part touring talk series from February to April. Aimed at promoting cutting-edge Taiwanese arts and culture, the initiative invites local academic partners to engage in deep exchange and explore ways to localize cultural content.
The series kicks off with Lau Kek-Huat, director of the 61st Golden Horse Award-winning documentary From Island to Island. Under the theme "Reconstructing War Memories through Documentary," Lau will visit UCLA, UCSD, and UCI from February 18 to 21 for screenings and discussions. He will share the production process and the educational significance of his work with experts and scholars. Notably, the UCI session has been included as an official event of the Global Asias 2026 conference, underscoring the film’s immense value to modern East Asian history and public historiography.
Lau Kek-Huat, who teaches in the National Taiwan University of Arts, is a highly regarded figure among Taiwan’s mid-generation filmmakers. His work often centers on the history of the Chinese diaspora in Malaysia. From Island to Island focuses on Taiwanese soldiers in the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, unearthing the "hidden memories" of Taiwan’s wartime experience. The film explores the lives of Taiwanese soldiers, doctors, and overseas citizens living in Southeast Asia during the period. The film uses intergenerational dialogue, family letters, diaries, and home movies to navigate the complexities of historical memory and the diverse identities of that era.
The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles noted that Director Lau previously visited Los Angeles last year at the invitation of the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF). This time, his visit shifts the focus toward content-driven academic dialogue with world-leading research communities. It is expected that, through these exchanges, Taiwan’s historical research and creative narratives will achieve profound resonance and impact across international borders.
Tour Schedule & Event Information
- University of California, Los Angeles
Time 1: February 18, 2026, (Wed) 9:30–10:45 (Lecture only, no screening)
Location 1: Haines Hall 39, UCLA
Time 2: February 19, 2026, (Thu) 12:00–18:00 (Screening & Q&A)
Location 2: Main Conference Room (Room 11360), Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA
Event Link: https://www.international.ucla.edu/ccs/event/17484
- University of California, San Diego
Time 1: February 11, 2026, (Wed) 14:30–17:30 (Part I Screening)
Time 2: February 18, 2026, (Wed) 14:30–18:00 (Part II Screening & Q&A)
Location: Taiwanese American Community Center (7838 Wilkerson Ct, San Diego, CA 92111)
Event Link: https://taiwan.ucsd.edu/events/forthcoming-events.html
- University of California, Irvine
Time: February 21, 2026, (Sat) 11:00–16:30
Location: McCormick Screening Room (HG 1070), UCI
Event Link: https://zotspot.uci.edu/illuminations/rsvp_boot?id=1944820
Liaison:
Tingchao Chang, Cultural Officer of Taiwan Academy
EMAIL：tcchang@moc.gov.tw
PHONE：+1 (213) 389-1215 ext. 315
1-Information of Director Lau's talks tour
2-From Island to Island focuses on Taiwanese soldiers in the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, unearthing the hidden memories of Taiwan’s wartime experience.
3-Lau Kek-Huat, who teaches in the National Taiwan University of Arts, is a highly regarded figure among Taiwan’s mid-generation filmmakers.
