For the fifth year in a row, Taiwanese films will be hitting London’s cinemas as a part of the London East Asia Film Festival – the largest film festival of its kind in the UK. Running on an adjusted timeframe due to the pandemic and local restrictions, Taiwanese films “Detention”, “I WeirDO” and “Wild Sparrow” will be screening at the festival from the 10^th to the 13^th – making up three of the programme’s ten films. With the pandemic causing a major crisis in the global film and cinema industry, bringing Taiwanese films to London’s cinemas represents the deep connection between Taiwan and the global film industry.

The three Taiwanese works screening at the Festival are diverse in the genres and mood, all receiving various awards, glowing reviews, and strong recognition from the box office. “Detention” (John Hsu) is a paranormal horror film that reflects on Taiwan’s authoritarian era. Set in the 1960s, the film won five Golden Horse Awards in 2019. “I WeirDO” (Liao Ming-yi) is the timely story of two germaphobes who fall for each other - combining fantasy and realism as the first Taiwanese film to be shot entirely on an iPhone. The film “Wild Sparrow” (Shih Li) focuses on inter-generation differences and issues surrounding the family unit, attracting attention and praise at the Taipei Film Festival 2019. Both “I WeirDO” and “Wild Sparrow” are included in the Festival’s Special Focus selection this year.

According to Festival Director Hye-Jung Jeon, the number of films screening at this year’s London East Asia Film Festival has been reduced from previous years, enabling movies-goers to keep their social distance whilst enjoying the full experience of watching films once again on the big screen. Taiwan’s cinematic offerings in recent years have been strongly commended by the Festival’s jury and curators – and this year is no different, with Taiwan joining South Korea in being represented by three films. Taiwanese films make up an indispensable part of the Festival, helping to bring contemporary East Asian cinema to British audiences.

Director of the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Dr. Pin-chuan Chen says: “The London East Asia Film Festival is well respected by those who work in the film industry and the media, providing a platform for the British public to learn more about the latest developments in East Asian cinema. The screening of Taiwanese films at the Festival is an opportunity for more Brits to discover Taiwan’s unique brand of high-quality cultural content.”

The fifth London East Asian Film Festival runs from Thursday 10^th December to the Sunday 13^th December, showcasing films from Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and China. The films are divided into an Official Selection and a Special Focus category, with the awards ceremony taking place online.

Taiwan Film Screenings:

Detention at Cineworld Leicester Square – 20:00 UTC Friday 11^th December

I WeirDO at the Cinema at Selfridges – 18:15 UTC Saturday 12^th December

Wild Sparrow at the Cinema at Selfridges – 20:15 UTC Sunday 13^th December