Short film event to spotlight legendary writers

2015/12/03

A series of seven documentaries highlighting the life experiences and works of legendary writers from Taiwan and Hong Kong will be shown in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung Cities, with the first screening Dec. 18 at the Ambassador Theater in Taipei.

Organized by Taipei City-based Fisfisa Media, the second edition of “The Inspired Island—Series of Eminent Writers from Taiwan” features short films about seven authors, namely Pai Hsien-yung, Lin Wen-yueh, Lo Fu and Ya Hsien from Taiwan, as well as Lau Yee-cheung, Xi Xi and Yasi of Hong Kong.

“The first edition of the event in 2011, which profiled only local writers, proved widely popular at home as well as in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and mainland China, successfully promoting the richness of Taiwan literature in these areas,” a Fisfisa Media staffer said. “The shorts also helped generate interest in classic works among younger generations.

“We therefore decided to add films about Hong Kong-based novelists to the series this year in hopes of spreading awareness of the region’s vibrant and diverse literary cultures.”

One highlight is a documentary directed by Teng Yung-shing, winner of Best Original Screenplay at the 2011 Golden Horse Awards.

The piece follows the journey of novelist Pai from Guilin, Guangxi province in mainland China, where he was born in 1937, to Taiwan and the U.S. It also depicts the writer’s state of mind when he penned the renowned works “Taipei People” and “Crystal Boys,” published in 1971 and 1983, respectively, as well as his devotion to the Kun opera.

Another eye-catching film by Chi Yi and Liu Pei-yi shows essayist and translator Lin’s migration from Shanghai to Taiwan. Born in 1933, Lin was educated at a Japanese school and received worldwide recognition for her 1978 translation of “The Tale of Genji” by Japan’s Murasaki Shikibu. The author is also famed for her emotive prose.

Equally impressive is “1918” produced by Huang Jing-hui, winner of Best Original Screenplay at the 2012 Golden Horse Awards.

The documentary presents the emergence of late bloomer Lau and introduces his well-known writings. Born in 1918, the novelist’s 1963 work “The Drunkard” is hailed as the first stream of consciousness novella in Greater China. This novel and his 1972 book “Intersection” are believed to have inspired the movies “2046” and “In the Mood for Love,” respectively, by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai.

Other activities to be held as part of the event include seven lectures by Taiwan author Yang Zhao, who will share his views on the works of all the featured writers.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=239692&ctNode=2194&mp=9)