Press Release: Eugene

THIRD ANNUAL TAIWAN FILM FESTIVAL AT UNIV OF OREGON, OCTOBER 23-25, 2008

The Taiwan Film Festival (TFF) will showcase the best of the Republic of China's contemporary films. With a focus on "Youth and Redemption," the festival will return to the University of Oregon (Eugene) from October 23-25. Filmmakers will be present for four of the eight films.

With its unique and rich cultural heritage, Taiwan has produced such internationally recognized directors as, Ang Lee, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang. Most of the films selected will be making its US premiere at TFF, with three filmmakers and one lead actress appearing in person. Viewers will be introduced to the next generation of great directors from Taiwan and have a chance to ask about their creative process.

The festival will screen in Wilamette Hall (Room 100) and is hosted by the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature, Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and the Mills International Center at the University of Oregon. It is also presented by The Chuan Lyu Foundation, Asia Society and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco. Admission is free and screenings are open to the public.

Live Performance

Taiwan's pop singer Enno Cheng and KK will perform at the opening reception after the first film, GANGSTER'S GOD. Not only is Enno a celebrated singer, but she also the lead actress in SUMMER'S TAIL, the movie that follows the reception.


Feature Films

* Cheng Wen-Tang's SUMMER'S TAIL begins as a story of youthful passions, and evolves to focus on the transformative power of friendship. A selection at the 2007 Pusan Film Festival. Enno Cheng, also the director's daughter, is riveting to watch. Lead actress present for Q&A.

* Winner of the Critic's Week Award in the 2007 Venice Film Festival, THE MOST DISTANT COURSE, interweaves the stories of three lost souls as they travel through Taiwan's beautiful Eastern shore in search of solace, which they find in the elevating power of sound and music. Director Lin Jin-Jie in person.

* The directing debut from actor Jay Chou (CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER), SECRET is a charming romance also starring Chou. It was an official selection of the 2008 San Francisco International Film Festival.

* SPIDER LILIES, the last feature at the festival, offers a hauntingly beautiful meditation on how we may commemorate lost lives and lost loves.


Documentaries

* THE GANGSTER'S GOD looks at the secret lives of the men who partake in the "Scorching of Handan," allowing their bodies to be bombarded with bottle rockets during the Lantern Festival of Taidong. Reputed to be gangsters, these men are shrouded in mystery. Ho Chao-Ti's fascinating documentary brings us into their universe. She will be present for Q&A afterwards.

* FOR MORE SUN chronicles the efforts of a group of young Taiwanese engineers as they build a solar car to complete in the World Solar Challenge in Australia. Q&A with director Lee Jong-Wang's follows the film.

* In ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL, Lin Yu-Hsien focuses on two children suffering from tremendous physical handicaps yet determined to live life to the fullest.

* The last documentary, THE LOST KINGDOM, is about the rise and gradual disappearance of the "Kung Le Society," a well-known Taiwanese opera troupe in the forties, who also created the first Taiwanese language films.

For more details, please open the attached PDF for locations, scheduled films, photos and director's bio. You can also access additional information through: http://2008tff.blogspot.com


SHORT BLURB:

Taiwan Film Festival (TFF) at Univ. of Oregon, Oct 23-25

THE GANGSTER'S GOD begins this year's TFF with a live performance from Enno Cheng at the opening reception that follows. A celebrated pop singer, she also stars in SUMMER'S TAIL, the second film in the festival. The carefully selected lineup includes FOR MORE SUN, THE MOST DISTANT COURSE, ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL, SECRET, THE LOST KINGDOM and SPIDER LILIES. Filmmakers will be present for Q&A at 4 of the 8 films.

For more information, please visit: http://2008tff.blogspot.com. Admission is FREE. Presented by the East Asian Languages and Literatures, Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and Mills International Center of the Univ. of Oregon. The Chuan Lyu Foundation, Asia Society and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco.