Featuring the most recent work of the acclaimed Taiwanese Director
Along with a Q&A
As well as the UK premieres of several of his earlier works
10-29 November & Taiwan Film Festival 2007
A Hand Picked showcase of the Best of current Taiwanese Cinema 17-18 November At the British Film Institute, South Bank, London
On the 16th of November Little Epiphanies will hold a discussion group between Tsai Ming-liang’ and local students and academics, chaired by the acclaimed film critic Tony Rayns. On the same evening the BFI will show his latest work: I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, which will be followed by a Q&A with the director. The next day there will be a screening of his acclaimed The Wayward Cloud, described by the BFI as “a comic elegy for the death of romance”. Little Epiphanies begins on the 10th of November with a double bill of All the Corners of the World and Boys (UK premiere), concluding with a final showing of I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone on the 29th of November.
This retrospective promises to be a rare treat for UK film lovers, holding the UK premieres of several of Mr Tsai’s earlier television films; including All the Corners of the World, Boys, My New Friends and My Stinking Kid. Of these Boys was the first ever acting role for Lee Kang-sheng, who stars in many of Tsai’s later works. This first ever screening in Europe is an extremely rare chance to see Boys on the big screen. Audiences will also be treated to The River, Rebels of the Neon God, Vive l’amour, The Hole, What time is it there? and The Skywalk is gone among other exemplary titles by Mr Tsai.
Taiwan Film Festival 2007 (17th and 18th of November) is a selection of 6 Taiwanese films, hand picked by the BFI and TRO. All from 2006 and 2007 they reflect the latest trend and styles in modern Taiwanese Cinema. Each work has its own unique character; subtle and moving animation for all ages, stunning visuals from a road movie down Taiwan’s east coast and tales of the fruition of youthful dreams. These two days of cutting edge Taiwanese cinema are not to be missed. Please see below for full listings of Taiwan Film Festival 2007.
For further information on Little Epiphanies and Tsia Ming-liang at the BFI please see their website:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/southbank/seasons/mingliang
And for information on Taiwan Film Festival 2007 see:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/southbank/seasons/taiwan/
This event is being organised by the British Film Institute in collaboration with the Taipei Representative Office in the UK and Axiom. We would also like to thank EVA Air for their generosity in flying Tsai Ming-liang to the UK, allowing him to be here in person.
Listings for Taiwan Film Festival 2007
A Fish with a Smile
Director: Jay Shih
17 Nov 14:00 10mins
A short animation about a lonely man who finds comfort and joy in a pet fish
(Shown as part of a double bill with ‘The Boy who Turned Yellow’)
Island Etude
Director: Chen Huai-en
17 Nov 18:20 109mins
A road movie with a difference: a hearing impaired student cycling around Taiwan on a battered old bike with a guitar on his back. Through his meetings with a variety of people we learn of the complexity, sadness and beauty of life on the island.
Do Over
Director: Cheng Yu-chieh
17 Nov 20:50 113mins
With an award winning strong visual style this film draws together a complex group
of characters at New Year (a gangster, his boss, a film maker, party kids etc).
My Football Summer
Director: Yang Li-chou & Chang Rong-ji
18 Nov 15:50 107mins
A documentary with a fast paced dramatic narrative on young boys in pursuit of a dream. It tells the story of a football team from Hualien county as they train to compete in the National Leauge.
Keeping Watch
Director: Cheng Fen-fen
18 Nov 18:20 91mins
Ching is a girl who watches over the family’s old clock shop by herself. When Han appears, claiming he was her high school classmate her habitual life begins to change - she begins to fall in love. One day, however, Han suddenly vanishes.
The Song of Cha-Tian Mountain
Director: Huang Yu-shan
18 Nov 20:45 109mins
Adapted from Zhaozheng’s novel this film (shot in HDV) depicts the resistance of educated people to the occupation of Taiwan at the end of WW2. The plans of a Taiwanese man, educated in Japan, as he returns to his homeland are turned upside down as his ship capsizes and he ends up fighting for survival in the mountains. A subtle, emotionally understated tale of the resilience of the human spirit.
