▲Compiled by Martin Williams
| 12 A Russian rethinking of 12 Angry Men, this was nominated for best foreign film at this year’s Academy Awards and is directed by Nikita Mikhalkov, whose Burnt by the Sun won the same award in 1995. In this version, a young Chechen is on trial for the murder of his adoptive father, a Russian. The film thus grafts the classic story of a volatile jury that sways in every direction onto the incendiary, savage reality of modern-day Russia. Variety magazine could not praise this film highly enough. |
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| The Haunted Samurai This warrior just can’t get a break. An unusual blackish comedy from Japan sees a low-status samurai failing to make much of an impact despite reasonable talent, before losing his family and resorting to a drunken appeal to the gods after suffering the ultimate indignity: moving in with his brother’s family. Unfortunately for him, he prays at the wrong shrine and the three inauspicious gods that answer his prayers are about to make things even worse — or are they? Based on the novel by bestselling author Jiro Asada. Japanese title: Tsukigami. |  |
| The Night Before Final Exam,Today Next up is an obscure sequel to a reasonably well received Italian teen comedy that never saw the light of a projector in Taiwan. Part 2 ups the T&A and sex quotient, which is probably the only reason it’s getting a release here. The title betrays most of the plot. One of those “teen” sex comedies that follows the dubious, global tradition (possibly started by Porky’s in 1982) of casting actors who are around 10 years too old for their roles. |  |
| One Way Ticket to Mombasa This Finnish flick from 2002 opened last week with no advertising but deserves a quick mention. Two ill young men skip hospital to go on a last road trip before cancer claims them. A simple story, with a healthy message and peerless Finnish scenery. Similar to the recent American film The Bucket List in some respects, and by most reports it’s much better. But be quick: It finishes on Sunday at the Scholar theater complex in Taipei. |  |
| Ocean Butterfly A young Thai woman who has mermaid-like abilities and aquatic communication skills when she is in contact with sea creatures falls in love with a photographer, who has his own surprise in store. This broad comic-fantasy combines interesting and sometimes sinister special effects with moments of utter stupidity and goofiness. Originally pegged as a grindhouse release in the backblocks of Ximending, Ocean Butterfly will now enjoy screenings in more reputable theaters in Taipei and Taichung. Starts tomorrow. |  |
Seven hundred job applications. One interview. Marco Mascaro arrived in Taiwan last year with a PhD in engineering physics and years of experience at a European research center. He thought his Gold Card would guarantee him a foothold in Taiwan’s job market. “It’s marketed as if Taiwan really needs you,” the 33-year-old Italian says. “The reality is that companies here don’t really need us.” The Employment Gold Card was designed to fix Taiwan’s labor shortage by offering foreign professionals a combined resident visa and open work permit valid for three years. But for many, like Mascaro, the welcome mat ends at the door. A
The Western media once again enthusiastically forwarded Beijing’s talking points on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comment two weeks ago that an attack by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on Taiwan was an existential threat to Japan and would trigger Japanese military intervention in defense of Taiwan. The predictable reach for clickbait meant that a string of teachable moments was lost, “like tears in the rain.” Again. The Economist led the way, assigning the blame to the victim. “Takaichi Sanae was bound to rile China sooner rather than later,” the magazine asserted. It then explained: “Japan’s new prime minister is
NOV. 24 to NOV. 30 It wasn’t famine, disaster or war that drove the people of Soansai to flee their homeland, but a blanket-stealing demon. At least that’s how Poan Yu-pie (潘有秘), a resident of the Indigenous settlement of Kipatauw in what is today Taipei’s Beitou District (北投), told it to Japanese anthropologist Kanori Ino in 1897. Unable to sleep out of fear, the villagers built a raft large enough to fit everyone and set sail. They drifted for days before arriving at what is now Shenao Port (深奧) on Taiwan’s north coast,
Divadlo feels like your warm neighborhood slice of home — even if you’ve only ever spent a few days in Prague, like myself. A projector is screening retro animations by Czech director Karel Zeman, the shelves are lined with books and vinyl, and the owner will sit with you to share stories over a glass of pear brandy. The food is also fantastic, not just a new cultural experience but filled with nostalgia, recipes from home and laden with soul-warming carbs, perfect as the weather turns chilly. A Prague native, Kaio Picha has been in Taipei for 13 years and
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