Revisiting 921: Remembering Taiwan's Deadliest Earthquake - Full Documentary
The 921 earthquake in September of 1999 was one of Taiwan’s most devastating natural disasters. Join Canadian photojournalist, David Smith, as he returns to Taipei where he was based when the earthquake struck 25 years ago. His poignant documentary intricately weaves together past and present with vivid memories of the aftermath but also unforgettable moments of profound humanity. "Revisiting 921" is an uplifting testament to the strength of the human spirit. For Smith, the earthquake was not just a catastrophic event; it was a turning point in his career, shifting his perspective on life, loss, and the power of hope. The faces he captured in the wake of the disaster were the very things that kept him grounded, even amidst overwhelming destruction. Today, nearly two and a half decades later, he is determined to find those individuals again, to see how they have rebuilt their lives, and to understand how the earthquake continues to shape their existence. Douglas Habecker, now the co-publisher of Compass magazine in Taichung, also accompanies his old friend and fellow journalist on their travels deeper into Taiwan. Habecker was there during initial coverage of the disaster. He provides not just companionship, but a crucial link to the past. Together, they retrace their steps, moving from the urban landscape of Taipei to more rural, isolated areas near the earthquake's epicentre in the middle of Taiwan. This mission of hope focuses on revisiting the most significant stories from that time, including the rescue of a young baby in a remote village in Nantou. Just what stories will they uncover when they locate this young lady now? And what of the heroic rescuers who they met over the course of their journalistic work during the disaster?
