`Who likes war films?' GIO asks; `Not us,' MND says

Outgoing Government Information Office Minister Lin Chia-lung, left, accompanied by his successor Pasuya Yao, right, walks out of the GIO with bouquets of flowers after the handing-over ceremony yesterday. PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

Officials were split yesterday in their response to local media reports that the Government Information Office (GIO) and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) would begin working together to help make war films.

GIO Minister Pasuya Yao (姚文智) yesterday said that he is more than happy to provide the necessary help to local filmmakers who want to make military-related films, but the MND said that they were simply unable to provide such services.

The last locally produced military movie -- Yes, Sir II -- was made in 1988. After its poor performance in the box offices, many local filmmakers lost interest in making war films.

The issue hit the spotlight after a Chinese-language newspaper yesterday reported that, as part of an effort to boost the image of the military, that the GIO and the MND would begin cooperating in the film industry.

After his swearing-in ceremony as GIO minister, Yao told reporters that he has no problem providing the necessary help for local filmmakers who wish to make such movies.

He even offered his own insights into producing a successful film: "It is a good idea. But, maybe we want to adopt a new angle and be more creative when we making such films, instead of simply relying on cliches like filmmakers have in the past."

However, Yao's passion about producing war flicks was not shared by the MND.

"We do not have any plan to help," said Navy Rear Admiral Liou Chih-chien (劉志堅), the MND spokesman. "Honestly, we do not have the necessary manpower for this."

Liou said that the MND has long had standing orders for all personnel not to take part in producing war films. Former minister Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) had also strictly ordered the military not to do so.

Since the annual budget for the military has been declining each year, Liou said, the MND does not have any plans for such extravagances as hiring a filmmaker.

"In addition to budget problems, our manpower has been gradually decreasing year by year. So really, we could not spare any personnel for [a movie production] at all," Liou said.

Meanwhile, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Chun-hsiung (柯俊雄), who was once a film star, said that he would back such a plan.

He said he would be more than happy to act again -- if somebody invites him.

"My movies inspired many young men to join the military before. I will be happy to do it again," he said.

"However, maybe -- just maybe -- I should play the role of minister of national defense this time, if I act in such a movie again," Ko said.

Ko, who was born in Kaohsiung in 1945, started his movie career in the early 1960s. He won several awards for best actor at various festivals, including the Golden Horse Awards and the Asia-Pacific Film Festival.

Known by some as "the John Wayne from Kaohsiung," He is best known for the heroic characters he played in an array of war films, which he began making in the 1970s. Many of the films were set against the backdrop of the World War II Pacific Theater.

Other films were essentially anti-communist propaganda, including Everlasting Glory (英烈千秋, 1974), 800 Heroes (八百壯士, 1975), Victory (梅花, 1975) and A Teacher of Great Soldiers (黃埔軍魂, 1977).