The films will appeal to South Africans because of the very similar history that South Africa and Taiwan share. These include universal themes of love, sacrifice, endurance and the struggle to be the autonomous people the Taiwanese are and have the inalienable right to be. Through the genre of film the Taiwanese people are captured in all their glory and thereby promote cinema as an art form for the further stimulation of ideas.
The film "Peach Blossom Land" will be screened at the launch of the festival on 6 October at the Cinema Noveau in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The film, with a theatrical spirit, revolves around a single contrivance - two different theatre troupes find themselves trapped in the same rehearsal space, their seemingly different plays overlapping thematically.
Other films to be screened include works like "Zoom Hunting" by acclaimed director, Ch oLi, "No Pedo Vivir Sin Ti", "Straw Man" and "Gangster Rock". Ang Lee's work, "Eat Drink Man Woman", involves a senior chef who lives with his three grown daughters whose lives are inextricably linked to each other by unexpected events. It is an endearing family drama that examines food as not only physical sustenance but also as a spiritual sustenance.
Entrance to the films is free of charge.
For more information, email ten.asmoket@5nawiatfni.
