From nerve-racking horror, violent crimes, to sensational body spectacles, these Taiwanese films of the new generation exceed mere exploitation and tired genre tropes, delving into unspeakable taboo subjects in mainstream society from an unique perspective. Unsettling, gory, and sometimes absurd, the selected filmography comprises gems by genre and experimental filmmakers whose eye-opening works not only reflect current trends of the island’s film industry, but also change everything we know about Taiwan cinema. 

Program 2. Promising Young Women: Rising Female Filmmakers

From the record-breaking box office of Wonder Woman to Chloe Zhao’s Oscar triumph, gender equity and percentage of working female directors have become critical issues examined in global film industries. In Taiwan, more women of the new generation have endeavored to take the helm of film productions to tell stories from their perspectives. From the body dysmorphia issue raised in Heavy Craving to the predicament of impoverished but resilient sex workers depicted in The Receptionist and Sisters’ Busy Hands, these emerging female directors’s treatment of contemporary subjects have defied stereotypes and tropes, injecting nuance and fresh creativity into films across genres and topics.



Program 3. Edge of the Ocean: Afloat and Ashore

Taiwan is an island nation situated at the edge of the Western Pacific Ocean, but its unique geopolitical position and rich history have made it into a place with so many amazing stories that it should not be marginalized at the world stage. A fear of the ocean and restricted coastlines have prevented its people from exploring the wondrous beauty of the sea, and often the harsh reality of the disenfranchised residents in Taiwan’s seaside towns is invisible in mainstream storytelling. From indigenous to diasporic communities, these selected films portray the resilient lives on the margins of existence, and demonstrate the intimate human connections on this island full of fears, hopes, sadness and love.