Reurning for its third edition, Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh has announced its full programme of Taiwanese films. Between October 15 to 20, the films will be screened in both Summerhall and Everyman Edinburgh cinemas. This year’s programme offers a unique opportunity to discover more about Taiwan’s rich film and cultural heritage: from short films to documentaries as well as classics both old and new, many of which will be having their UK premiere as part of this year’s festival.
This year’s six features and five shorts share the theme of the (un)Usuals, seeking to reveal the people, events and relationships that usually fall outside of the mainstream experience.
“Although streaming at home is a comfortable and convenient way to enjoy cinema, I still prefer sitting in the dark with other people, people who enjoy the big screen experience as much as I do. I am so glad that we can meet our audiences in person this year!”
Liu Kuan-Ping, Chief Curator at the Festival
“It is great to see Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh coming back with once again a well selected programme that showcases the diverse and thriving cinematography of Taiwan. We bring the films back to cinemas this year and encourage audiences in Edinburgh to join us as we celebrate this first edition of fully in-person Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh.”
Head of Taipei Representative Office UK Cultural Division, Dr Chen Pin-Chuan
2022 Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh programme
Strand 1 – shorts: Being alone together
Where Am I Going? | Huang, Yun-sian and Tsai, Yi-chin | 2018 | 15 mins
In-person screening on 15 October, 20:45 at Summerhall
An old man lives alone in a small hut by the railway which is soon to be demolished. He spends his days cycling and looking for work mending windows until one day his routine is interrupted by figures that appear to be different to everyone else.
Can You Hear Me? | Li Nien-Hsiu | 2021 | 36 mins
In-person screening on 15 October, 20:45 at Summerhall
Jhong wakes up and finds himself dead. He watches his family dealing with his death over breakfast. Although his wife can’t hear him, she can somehow comprehend what is on his mind.
Director Li follows her debut documentary film ‘Hebei, Taipei’, which focuses on her father, with this short film inspired by her family and real-life conversations they had following her father’s death.
Siren | Nobuyuki Miyake | 2017 | 17 mins
In-person screening on 15 October, 20:45 at Summerhall
Sirens are blaring outside, Abbas breaks into the room of an old Japanese man named Toyoshige. He lifts Toyoshige and carries him out the door. As they go down the stairs, the last few days of bias and misjudgement become clear.
A Taxi of Coldness | Joonha Kim | 2017 | 20 mins
In-person screening on 15 October, 20:45 at Summerhall
Late at night, a taxi passenger is offered chewing gum by the driver. As he reminds himself of the ‘drugged gum’ story told him by his mother, the driver asks whether he heard about all those criminal taxi drivers… after several persistent offers, the man reluctantly accepts the chewing gum.
Strand 2: Doc Replay. Portraits
When The Dawn Comes | Zhang, Hong – jie | 2021 | 60 mins
In-person screening on 16 October, 14:00 at Summerhall
Chi Chia-wei devoted his life to educating people about AIDS: he gave out condoms in the 80s while dressed as Snow White, Jesus or a mummy. At a press conference, he came out as gay and became the first person in Taiwan to do so publicly. His activism garnered a lot of media attention as well abuse from the public. In 2017, a constitutional ruling made him a hero in the LGBTQ+ community – a 30-year-long struggle seemed to have reached its final destination and a new starting point.
The Catch | Hsu, Che-chia | 2021 | 54 mins
In-person screening on 16 October, 15:30 at Summerhall
From every November to the following February, Indigenous migrant fishermen set up camp along Taiwan’s Lanyang River to catch the season’s first eel. Camaraderie and bonds are forged as they face the hardship together.
Strand 3: Chen Yi–Wen Retrospective
The Man From Island West | Huang, Ming-chuan | 1991 | 90 mins
In-person screening on 17 October, 19:30 at Everyman
Contemporary Taiwan. An aboriginal man, Ah-ming, attempts to take his own life but is saved by an old miner. This life-changing moment spurs him to journey back to his origins. Meanwhile, the miner’s son, Ah-Chuan, meets a fugitive prostitute who has returned from the lowlands… Ah-Chuan desperately tries to fit into the mainstream society but those around him seem to have different intentions.
Growing Pains | Lin, Po-yu | 2020 | 25 mins
In-person screening on 18 October, 19:30 at Everyman
Fourteen-year-old Yao is sick of his worn-out shoes which his debt-ridden father cannot replace. One day, following a confrontation with debt collectors, he suddenly buys Yao a pair of expensive sneakers which turns out to be the start of a tragic series of events…
Increasing Echo | Chienn, Hsiang | 2021 | 85 mins
In-person screening on 18 October, 19:30 at Everyman
Mr. Yan’s mistress suffers from dementia and lives in a nursing home. Upon learning about her husband’s infidelity, Mrs. Yan plans her revenge and takes her husband to visit the mistress. After seeing her, Mr. Yan runs away, but Mrs. Yan must get him back for their son’s wedding…
Treat or Trick | Hsu, Fu-HSIANG | 2021 | 106 mins
In-person screening on 19 October, 19:30 at Everyman
During a police raid led by a bent cop Feng, Feng’s buddy Chiang decides to keep the offenders’ prized possessions and hides in a remote village. Feng has no choice but to call on his men, Monk and Yang, to retrieve the diamonds.
The Cabbie | ChEN, Yi, wen, CHANG, Hwa-kun | 2000 | 94 mins
In-person screening on 20 October, 19:30 at Everyman
Ah Quan enjoys his life of a taxi driver. One day he meets and falls in love with a policewoman. And the only way to get her attention is to get as many parking tickets as possible…
Tickets are now available to book on taiwanfilmfestival.org.uk. All screenings are priced at £8 and £6 concession.
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