The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada, the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society and the Ottawa Public Library collaborated on the screening of the Taiwanese film “Together” at Ben Franklin Place in Ottawa on May 29, 2016.
The event, hosted by Ambassador Wu Rong-chuan, Representative of TECO in Canada, was attended by 170 overseas Chinese and members of the legislature.
“Canada values cultural diversity and Asians are an important ethnic group in Ottawa,” Ottawa City Councillor Michael Qaqish, said. He thanked TECO in Canada and the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society for hosting the movie screening event, which could enhance understanding between ethnic groups. Councillor Qaqish also awarded Ambassador Wu a certificate on behalf of Ottawa City Mayor Jim Watson.
Ambassador Wu acknowledged the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society for inviting TECO in Canada to participate in the relevant celebratory events and thanked Canadian friends and the overseas Chinese community for attending the event.
Ambassador Wu then elaborated on the origins of Taiwan becoming the capital of Chinese culture. “The Han culture has blended in with Taiwan’s indigenous culture, following the migration of the Han peoples from China to Taiwan in the 13th century,” Wu said. “The Qing Empire ceded Taiwan to Japan after its defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895; then in 1949, following the ROC government’s relocation to Taipei, gourmet cuisines from various provinces in China were introduced to Taiwan. Today, thousands of foreign spouses from Southeast Asia and China have also brought in their cultures to Taiwan.
“All these different cultures have flourished in Taiwan over the past 65 years, and have been depicted in 30 to 50 Taiwanese movies produced annually,” Wu said.
“Together” is a comedy directed by Hsu Chao-jen in 2012. It was designated as the opening film in the 2012 Busan International Film Festival, the 2012 Vancouver International Film Festival, and the 2013 Golden Horse Awards. It was also nominated in the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2013 Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film competed for Best New Director, Best New Performer, and Best Original Film Song awards in the 2013 Golden Horse Awards. Notable cast members in “Together” include Kenny Bee, Lee Lieh, Sonia Sui, Nana Lee, Umnia Boya, and Huang Shao-yang.
Alek Choo, co-founder of the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society, also commented on the number of attendees and the success of the event.
Ambassador Wu Rong-chuan (second left), Representative of TECO in Canada, Mrs. Wu (first left), Hon. Michael Qaqish (first right) and his father Mr. Qaqish (second right) pose at the Taiwan movie screening event on May 29, 2016.
Hon. Michael Qaqish (left) awards Ambassador Wu Rong-chuan, Representative of TECO in Canada, a certificate on behalf of Ottawa City Mayor Jim Watson.
Ambassador Wu Rong-chuan, Representative of TECO in Canada, makes a welcoming remark at the Taiwan movie screening event.
About 170 attendees took part in the Taiwan movie screening event on May 29, 2016.