Press Release: Las Vegas

2008 TAIWAN FILM FESTIVAL AT UNIV OF NEVADA, OCTOBER 24-26, 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 be hosted by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) from October 24-26.

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 directors 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.

Shown on campus at CBC 106, the festival is presented by UNLV's Film Department and Short Film Archive, 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 on Saturday evening. A celebrated pop star in Taiwan, she is also the lead actress in SUMMER'S TAIL, the movie following the reception.


Feature Films

* 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 and the opening film at TFF.

* The festival ends with THE WALL PASSER, a sci-fi love story.

* 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.


Documentaries

* 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.

* 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.

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

* 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 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 at Univ. of Neveda, Oct 24-26

This 3 day festival begins with SECRETS and ELEPHANT BOY AND ROBOGIRL. Highlights includes a live performance by Enno Cheng, star of Cheng Wen-Tang's SUMMER'S TAIL. A celebrated pop singer, she also stars in SUMMER'S TAIL, which starts off the three-day festival. The carefully selected line-up includes THE WALL PASSER, FOR MORE SUN, THE LOST KINGDOM, THE GANGSTER'S GOD AND THE MOST DISTANT COURSE. Filmmakers will be present for 4 of the 8 films.

For more information, please visit: http://2008tff.blogspot.com. Admission is FREE. Presented by the UNLV's Film Department and Film Archive, The Chuan Lyu Foundation, Asia Society and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco.