MOC launches National Film Center

2014-07-31

The National Film Center was launched July 28 by the Ministry of Culture, underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Taiwan’s movie industry.

Temporarily housed in the current Chinese Taipei Film Archive on Qingdao East Road in Taipei City, the center brings the functions of film restoration, personnel training, promotion and international marketing under one roof for the first time in Taiwan. The NFC is headed by CTFA Director Lin Wen-chi.

“Films serve as revealing snapshots of a country’s composition,” MOC Minister Lung Ying-tai said at the launch event. “They reflect social, political and economic developments, as well as take its brand to the world.”

According to Lung, during a recent official visit to Europe, simply mentioning such names as Hou Hsiao-hsien, Ang Lee, Tsai Ming-liang and Edward Yang elicited compliments about Taiwan.

“This recognition convinced me of the need to build upon this valuable cultural foundation and establish the NFC,” she said. “Films truly are unique calling cards for Taiwan culture.”

The NFC was established after a review of similar organizations abroad, with France’s National Center of Cinematography and the Moving Image serving as the primary source of inspiration.

Annually budgeted at NT$40 million (US$1.3 million), the center is expected to see this increase to NT$170 million once moving to its permanent home in New Taipei City by the end of 2016. In addition, the NFC will dedicate NT$23 million per year to a division tasked with digitally restoring five to 10 classic films.

Also attending the launch event were renowned movie directors Wang Toon and Hou Hsiao-hsien. “I have dreamed about having a national film center for nearly 50 years,” Wang said. “I am particularly pleased that my dream has been realized.”

Praising the MOC’s campaign to preserve classic films, Hsu Feng, lead actress in kung fu masterpiece “A Touch of Zen,” donated NT$5.1 million to restore the film. The movie won the Technical Grand Prize at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=220139&CtNode=413)