TaiwanPlus, in partnership with the Chi Po-lin Foundation, proudly presents “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above” to a global audience, now available with English narration. Directed by the late Chi Po-lin, this award-winning aerial documentary captures Taiwan’s breathtaking landscapes while simultaneously highlighting ongoing environmental issues.
The documentary, which first premiered in 2013, explores Taiwan's natural wonders from a unique aerial vantage point, revealing majestic mountains, verdant forests, dramatic coastlines, and thriving cities.Through its striking visuals, “Taiwan from Above” delivers a powerful call to action, urging viewers to address the environmental impact of human activities and join efforts to preserve Taiwan’s precious natural heritage.
The film received widespread acclaim upon its release, winning the “Best Documentary Award” at the 50th Golden Horse Awards and gaining significant recognition at multiple international film festivals.
Fittingly, the English-language narration for the new release has been recorded by host and media personality, Dennis Nieh, who was a longtime friend of the late Chi Po-lin.
Honoring Chi Po-lin's Legacy
Chi Po-lin was the visionary behind the groundbreaking project. Starting as a public servant, he devoted over two decades to aerial photography, capturing Taiwan's beauty and its environmental challenges. The devastation caused by Typhoon Morakot in 2009 became the catalyst for this documentary, igniting his unwavering determination to turn his vision into reality.
In 2017, the world lost this extraordinary filmmaker when he tragically died in a helicopter crash while filming in Hualien. His legacy, however, endures through his son and the Chi Po-lin Foundation, which continues his mission of environmental advocacy and conservation.
Eric Yang, TaiwanPlus’ Director of Programming, shared his thoughts on this collaboration: “This partnership feels like a passing of the baton. Through Chi Po-lin’s lens, TaiwanPlus hopes to reconnect Taiwanese audiences with their homeland while introducing international viewers to Taiwan’s extraordinary beauty.”
As Taiwan confronts growing environmental challenges — including climate change, urban expansion, and pollution — the re-release of “Taiwan from Above” serves both as a tribute to Chi Po-lin's work and an encouragement for action. By advocating for preservation over consumption, the film inspires individuals and communities to protect Taiwan’s natural resources for future generations.
“Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above” is now available on the TaiwanPlus Docs YouTube channel. TaiwanPlus invites you to watch this captivating documentary and discover Taiwan’s beauty from a bird’s eye view.
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