2018 Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane
The third annual Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane was held at Cinema 2, Schonell Theatre, The University of Queensland on the 7th and 8th of September 2018. With free entry for everyone, the festival offered a wonderful opportunity for audiences to experience the richness of Taiwanese cinema and culture.
The program featured a diverse range of films, including animation, documentary, and drama. Highlights included "On Happiness Road," an animated story about self-discovery and the search for happiness, and "After Spring, the Tamaki Family," a touching documentary exploring the history of the Tamaki clan on Japan’s Ishigaki Island. Hou Hsiao-hsien’s classic drama "Dust in the Wind" showcased the struggles and dreams of a young couple moving from a mining town to Taipei.
Saturday’s lineup featured "Return to Burma," a semiautobiographical drama set against Myanmar’s first presidential election, and "14 Apples," a documentary about Buddhist ideals in a globalised world. "Black Bear Forest" took audiences into the heart of Yushan National Park, following the journey to find Formosan Black Bears. "Ripples Apart" documented the journey of Taiwanese sailor Chang Hao and his dream to compete at the Olympics, including his connection with his Australian coach. The festival wrapped up with "52Hz, I Love You," a musical film set in modern Taipei, inspired by the story of the world’s loneliest whale.
The festival also included a post-screening conversation with Dr Patrick Jory, creating a space for dialogue and cultural exchange. Overall, the 2018 Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane was a vibrant celebration of Taiwanese storytelling, offering Brisbane audiences a unique window into Taiwan’s history, society, and creative spirit.
