On Saturday 23rd May 2013, the IMC Cinema in Dun Laoghaire played host to a special screening of Ang Lee’s spectacular ‘Life of Pi’. This was organised by the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, who arranged for the auditorium to be rented in order to celebrate the film’s recent success at the Academy Awards. It was also a perfect opportunity to advertise Taiwan’s flourishing film industry, cultural relevance and rich tourism resources.
The screening was attended by more than 100 guests, drawn from right across the spectrum. Representatives from the political, business, academic, media and artistic worlds were all present. The film itself was very well received, and those in the audience were quick to show their appreciation. Amongst the features receiving high praise were its meaning, sound, visual splendor and effects, and – in particular – the striking and varied natural scenery of Taiwan.
Before the screening commenced, Representative Harry Tseng delivered a few remarks to those gathered in the theatre. He noted that the film was directed by Ang Lee, already familiar to western audiences, who had received his second award for Best Director at this year’s Oscars. That was just one of four successes for ‘Life of Pi’, which also collected the prestigious statute for ‘Best Visual Effects’, ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Cinematography’. This, he said, was source of great national pride and the purpose of this event was to celebrate one of Taiwan’s favourite sons and to give internationals friends the chance to share in that celebration.
Representative Tseng informed his guests that Ang Lee had largely based the film in Taiwan and emphasized that over 80% of the film was actually shot there. Much of the island from North to South was featured, including Taipei Zoo, Kenting National Park and especially Taichung, home to the world’s largest wave pool which featured so vividly in one of the film’s crucial scenes. Lee also drew on the expertise of many of his Taiwanese colleagues whose artistic and technical assistance helped to create the film’s unique and sensational look. Indeed, in his acceptance speech at the Oscars ceremony, Lee declared that he “[could not] make this movie without the help of Taiwan… I wanna thank everybody there who helped us, especially the city of Taichung”. It is fair to say that ‘Life of Pi’ marks a high point for the Taiwanese film industry and shows its true capabilities.
There was not a spare seat in the house for the screening, and there were some well-known guests amongst the crowd. These included Dublin City Councillor Declan Flanagan ; Alan Hobbes, Director of Corporate Communications at Enterprise Ireland ; Michael Flood, Editor of Irish Travel Trade News ; and prominent academics from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). The event helped to promote bilateral artistic and cultural exchange, and the screening was particularly well supported by the International Women’s Club Dublin (IWCD) with the spouses of 12 diplomats in attendance. Amongst those nations represented were the UK, USA, Germany, India and Egypt.
After the screening, the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland laid on a reception for its guests, providing food and beverages. With everyone mingling and discussing the film, it became clear that Taiwan’s natural beauty had made a real impression and that Taiwanese art and culture had won many new fans. It was a truly positive to see the curtain fall on such a positive occasion with such overwhelmingly positive
Full house of guests
Dublin City Councillor Declan Flanagan and Alan Hobbs of Enterprise Ireland are pictured with Representative Harry Tseng (from left to right) 
Representative Tseng delivers a few remarks before the screening
