2023
About the Program
“A human life is my whole world, my life!” Facing the challenges of both the virus and human nature, the protagonist’s emotional outburst resonates across the screen.
The whole world is still reeling from the impact of Covid-19. Many people’s lives, work and lifestyle have encountered tremendous changes. This forces people to face the truth of their smallness within the universe, and to reflect on their relationship with nature. As the pandemic spreads, the enemy we are facing is not only a virus, but also the challenge of humanity. In every moment, each character is struggling, in fear, and oozing empathy, and we’re forced to wonder if their actions are real or fake.
The series Island Nation candidly shows the reality under political power struggle. It boldly exposes the phenomenon of bureaucratic corruption, and delicately depicts the helplessness and anger felt by the civilians who were sacrificed under the struggle of interests. Ultimately, however, whether humans will choose the resilience of survival remains an unanswered question. This series reminds us to rethink our connection with the world and to meet the challenges of the future with perseverance. Despite the pain struggles all around us, we can find inner strength by letting go of the false and welcoming the real. This film is a complete story, showing the fragility and tenacity of human nature and leading us to think about the value of life, and helping Taiwanese society move forward.
Director Lin Shizhang had a rich experience in film and television shooting, and demonstrated incredible professional skills in this field. He had served as the director of the Island Nation series. He deeply understands audience preferences, and presented stories in a unique way that resonated with the people. He often collaborated with other filmmakers to inspire new ideas, creating thoughtful works that pique interest. His works explored human nature, and inspired people’s thinking and discussion. The delicate handling of the story and aesthetic requirements is what makes his works vivid and exquisite, and the combination of creativity and professionalism brings surprises to the audience.
From the Curating Team
History often neglects lesser-known events, characters, and artifacts, causing valuable cultural heritage to be lost in the torrent of time. To protect Taiwan’s subjectivity and include immigrants' experiences, we must document forgotten stories, fostering respect for diverse identities. These films honour forgotten stories and help build a holistic, inclusive perspective that values marginalized narratives.
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TAIWANfest Toronto is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, that is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered here, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples of this land while we engage in meaningful conversations of culture and reconciliation.