Taiwan Revealed: Cinema Formosa

Reporter/Provider - Discovery
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Long gone were the glory days of Taiwanese Golden Era and New Wave cinema. Taiwanese cinema had suffered a serious decline for nearly two decades since the late 80s. Its productions diminished, and its audience turned towards Hollywood blockbusters and the Internet. But in 2008, one film changed the fate of the moribund industry. Cape No. 7 became the highest-grossed film in the history of Taiwan and catalyzed the revival of Taiwanese cinema. Armed with the success of Cape No. 7, its director, Wei Te-shen is ready to fulfill a bigger dream. For more than 10 years, he had wanted to make a historical epic about the uprising of Taiwanese aborigines against Japanese colonization. His film Seediq Bale will be the highest budgeted Taiwanese film ever made. Not only will it take Taiwan's film industry to a whole new level, but it will bring the narrative of Taiwanese cinema to its core-the story of the people of Taiwan. But how will Wei find 24 million US dollars and a production crew of 400 when the island's film industry has suffered budget cuts and box office flops for decades? Join us as we explore the history of Taiwanese Cinema and follow a team's relentless pursuit of their dreams. Cinema Formosa is a journey to the hearts of these celluloid visionaries.

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