Australasian Taiwan Studies Association & Taiwanese Association of Australia Melbourne Chapter
Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival 2023
When
Thu 11 – Sat 13 May 2023
The 2023 Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival offers a unique opportunity to view the work and creative processes of some of Taiwan's best filmmakers.
Presented by the Australasian Taiwan Studies Association, and Taiwanese Association of Australia Melbourne Chapter
Program
Gaga (2022)
Thursday 11 May at 6.30pm
PG
In late September, a tribal village in a remote part of Taiwan is surrounded by mist as Hayung's large, three-generation indigenous Atayal family starts their day with the smoke from the firewood shed. Grandpa Hayung follows the traditional Atayal practice of 'gaga', which the younger generations no longer appreciate. Hayung's family is furious because Mayor Toli's family has encroached on their land, and they are unable to do anything about it. Gaga chronicles the hardships and struggles of the indigenous family over the course of a year.
American Girl (2021)
Friday 12 May at 6.30pm
PG
Winter, 2003. Thirteen-year-old Fen is forced to move to Taipei from Los Angeles when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. She finds it difficult to adapt to her new life and school while trying to reconnect with her father. Meanwhile, her relationship with her mother becomes more turbulent, and Fen's rebellious behaviour heightens the tensions between the two. Eventually, when her younger sister is misdiagnosed with SARS, Fen and her mother have a heated confrontation that has been brewing for a long time.
Grandma and Her Ghosts (1998)
Saturday 13 May at 6.30pm
PG
Five-year-old Doudou arrives at his grandma's house in the harbour city of Keelung in the midst of a typhoon. In Doudou’s eyes, Grandma and her friends are like aliens. They speak Taiwanese and they laugh the roof shakes. Doudou starts a ghost catching adventure with his grandmother. This animated film explores Taiwan’s local religion against the backdrop of a multi-cultural and multi-linguistic Taiwan.
Festival partners
Meet the diverse range of festivals and film clubs on Melbourne’s cultural calendar that call ACMI home.
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