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National Geographic films documentary on Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum has collaborated with National Geographic in producing a documentary on its vast trove of art treasures to be introduced to an international audience, museum curators said yesterday.

It marked the first time the museum -- home to the best of the Chinese emperors' 1,000-year-old art collection -- has worked with an international media outlet to film its magnificent holdings for presentation to TV audiences around the world, museum Director Lin Mun-lee (林曼麗) said.

Observing that the museum houses the world's most famous collection of Chinese art, Lin said the hour-long documentary will provide a glimpse into the finest of Chinese cultural heritage.

Three spheres

The film features three spheres of focus -- the history of the museum's huge and versatile art collection, the epic-like story of the museum's emigration from China to Taiwan and how the museum has harnessed modern technology to display its invaluable art objects in fresh, dynamic ways to the public, Lin said.

National Geographic sent a seasoned crew to produce the film, including Mike Barrett, writer and project producer; Jamie Hamill, director of photography; Christopher Slaughter, managing director; and Jonathan Schutz, director.

Subtexts

Museum curators said that the National Geographic feature has not only catalogued the museum's priceless art treasures but also spun out their subtext, including maintenance, security and delicate logistics such as temperature and humidity.

The filming started on June 14 and wrapped up on Saturday.

The museum houses several items that are the pride of their collection and famous worldwide, including the "Jade Cabbage," a piece of jade carved into the shape of a head of cabbage, with an insect attached; the "meat-shaped stone," a piece of agate, the strata of which are cleverly used to create a likeness of a piece of pork cooked in soy sauce; a boat carved from an olive pit; and the Painting of One Hundred Horses; as well as four paintings from the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.
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