In September 2024, the Taiwan Film Festival of Boston held its sixth viewing of films produced by Taiwanese directors, under this year’s theme of “Ripples and Reflections.”
From September 28th-29th, 2024, the Taiwan Film Festival of Boston (TFFB) presented eight films across various genres at the AMC Boston Common 19 for its sixth annual film festival. The theme of “Ripples and Reflections” in this year’s festival used the imagery of water as a medium that strengthens the connection between the US and Taiwan, emphasizing both personal introspection and collective interconnectedness.
The eight films covered a broad range of movies, including Old Fox, Wild Road, The Tale of Ino Yumin, The Egret River, Lan Ling 40th: Experimental Actors Studio, 18x2 Youthful Days, A Journey in Spring, and We Are the Champions. Post-screening forums followed the event, featuring movie directors such as Angelika Wang, Michihito Fuji, and Golden Horse Award winner Akio Chen.
The TFFB, founded in 2019 by Dr. Fan Lan-Yun, is dedicated to introducing Taiwan’s unique cultural landscape to audiences across North America. The organization offers insight into Taiwan’s vibrant political and social spheres through internationalizing Taiwan’s growing film market, having garnered NT$7.66 billion in box office releases alone in 2023. The TFFB exemplifies how cultural exchange, particularly through the medium of film, can foster greater understanding between the people of Taiwan and the US.
East-West Center Young Professional Elijah Weaver spoke to the event organizers to discuss the significance of the theme, the curation process, and how Americans can delve deeper into Taiwanese media and culture.
The theme of “Ripples and Reflections” can mean different things depending on the person. Viewing it through the lens of US-Taiwan relations, people may fixate solely on the defense cooperation and political dynamics while overlooking the cultural and social attributes that connect the two. During our exchange, the TFFB shared their thoughts on how this year’s theme enhances the cultural element of US-Taiwan relations.
“The concept of ripples encapsulates the idea that each film we showcase has the power to resonate beyond its immediate audience, creating waves of understanding and empathy across diverse communities…
Reflections, on the other hand, encourage us to look inward and consider how these stories resonate with our own lives and the lives of those around us.”
The ripples symbolize the power of Taiwanese film to strengthen cultural awareness of the complex narratives surrounding Taiwan’s identity. The panel discussions at the end of each night highlighted the importance of reflection, to give space for conducive dialogue that deepens mutual understanding between audience members.
The orchestration of this event was not one without difficulties. The curation of films and the logistical process of securing directors presented obstacles in organizing the event. Curation began with including films from prestigious awards, such as the Golden Horse Awards and the New Taipei City Documentary Film Awards, while also encouraging open submissions. The team initially shortlisted 20 films, which were then narrowed down to 10 based through a careful screening process. However, while difficult, the TFFB noted during the interview that “this challenge also made the selection process engaging and rewarding… to achieve a balance between artistic vision and broad audience appeal”. Overcoming hurdles such as these are important to the mission of amplifying cultural awareness of Taiwan.
These cultural diplomacy initiatives not only highlight Taiwan’s vibrant democracy but also its cultural uniqueness, attracting international attention and support for Taiwan's political standing. Through promoting Taiwanese films, the island can strategically enhance its image and foster positive relations with international audiences.
Awareness and familiarity with Taiwan’s culture are linked to increased support for Taiwan in the US. Recent surveys show that Americans who are more knowledgeable about Taiwan tend to advocate for stronger ties with Taiwan, underscoring the impact of cultural exposure on public opinion.
For Americans looking to learn more about Taiwan, the TFFB recommended engaging in films that capture Taiwan’s cultural diversity and beauty. Films such as Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above and Invisible Nation serve as good introductions for Americans to learn about Taiwan’s natural geography and sociopolitical life. Aside from film, Taiwanese news sources such as Taipei Times, Taiwan News, Focus Taiwan, and Taiwan Plus provide English coverage of Taiwan’s domestic and global affairs.
I would like to extend my appreciation to the event organizers, leaders, and volunteers from the Taiwan Film Festival of Boston who dedicated their time to sit with me for an interview.
Elijah Weaver is a Fall 2024 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. He is a senior at Juniata College completing a BA in International Studies and Chinese Studies. His area focus is diplomacy and digital policy with a regional focus in East Asia.