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MOVIES: Filmmaker focuses on helping

The children of people with leprosy star in The Children Branded by Leprosy.

The Children Branded by Leprosy (索瑪花開的季節) is a documentary film by Taiwanese filmmaker Wu Chao-chun (吳兆鈞). His goal was to make a film, but he also established the Wings of Hope Charity Group (中華希望之翼服務協會) in 2003.

Shot in the backwoods of China's Sichuan Province, it depicts the lives of the healthy children of people relegated to a leper colony, all of whom have been forced to live ostracized from society because of the stigma associated with the disease.

This cross-strait production highlights the social isolation forced on communities tainted by leprosy and shows how a new generation struggles on. Unbowed by mainstream society's rejection, the subjects of the film continue to enjoy the riches of nature and life.

The film also documents the work of a dedicated group of volunteers from Taiwan who continue to work with lepers and their families in Sichuan.

Learning of Wings of Hope's efforts in China, Taiwan's Lo Sheng (Happy Life) Sanatorium established a fund for the children of those inflicted with the life-altering disease.

Film notes THE CHILDREN BRANDED BY LEPROSY (索瑪花開的季節) DIRECTED BY: WU CHAO-CHUN (吳兆鈞) RUNNING TIME: 84 MINUTES LANGUAGE: IN mandarin AND DIALECTS WITH CHINESE SUBTITLES

The Lo Sheng (Happy Life) Sanatorium has been the subject of controversy in recent years because of its efforts to relocate long-term residents to make way for a new MRT line.

The screenings in Taiwan are intended to show the solidarity of marginalized groups in the face of mistreatment by mainstream society. A blog with additional information in Chinese about the film can be found at blog.pixnet.net/leprosy2007.

The premier screening is at 7pm tonight at Lux Cinema (樂聲數位旗艦店), 85 Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街2段85號), followed by a charity screening tomorrow at 7pm at the main hall of the Lo Sheng (Happy Life) Sanatorium (樂生療養院), 794 Chungcheng Rd, Sinjhuang City, Taipei County (台北縣新莊市中正路794號).

No admission will be charged for the screening at Lux, but donations are appreciated and will go to the Wings of Hope Charity Group.
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