Taiwan Biennial Film Festival 2019

The second edition of the Taiwan Biennial Film Festival arrives at a time of significant cultural change for the island. Owing to its unique history and complicated political status, Taiwan has long been recognized as one of the most dynamic hubs of global cultural exchange in the world. In May of this year, its parliament became the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. At the same time, Taiwan’s film industry is increasingly determined to chart its own course in the region as a rapidly emerging center of production for both its booming domestic market and for Mandarin-language film audiences abroad. This year’s Biennial checks back in with Taiwan’s filmmakers to see how they are responding to and representing these and other developments shaping the contemporary moment. Diversity and gender equity on screen and behind the camera emerge as energizing themes, along with continuing engagement with questions of political, cultural and personal identity. The 2019 Biennial again features a wide array of cinematic works, including fictional narratives and documentaries, blockbuster hits and art house gems, along with short and experimental works. The lineup also includes a selection of newly restored classics from Taiwan’s golden age of commercial cinema. UCLA Film & Television Archive is pleased once again to present this timely survey of recent and classic Taiwanese films.

This series is co-presented and made possible by Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles.

Program curated and notes written by Paul Malcolm and Brian Hu.

Additional support was provided by UCLA Asia Pacific Center.

Special thanks to the Taiwan Film Institute.

Watch the festival trailer: