"I don't aim to win awards. I just hope that Taiwanese films can have a wider international market," said filmmaker Lin Cheng-sheng (
Though Lin was being modest, his statement reflects the long-standing problem of Taiwan cinema -- quality, artistic films, but poor commercial performance.
PHOTO COURTESY CENTRAL MOTION PICTURE CORP
"Our films are often nominated at major international film festivals (Cannes, the Oscars, Venice, Berlin, etc.). We only make around 20 films every year, but these films enter various international festivals and the rate of Taiwan films being nominated, or winning awards, is 47 percent," said the Director of the Department of Motion Picture Affairs (
PHOTO COURTESY TSAI MING-LIANG
Sadly, however, whenever a Taiwanese film wins an award overseas, local cinema proprietors begin to worry if this is another art-house movie with little marketability. According to GIO statistics, Taiwan produces 20 films annually, fewer than most Hollywood studios. The market share for local films is 2.21 percent and some 96 percent of the market is taken by Hollywood blockbuster movies. The rest is comprised of European and Asian films.
This has been the case for the past 10 years, but now the GIO is ready to present a remedy for Taiwan's struggling film industry, a set of projects and legal amendments that should give the industry a commercial stimulus, Chou said.
PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS
One major step forward is a proposal to amend the Motion Picture Law (
"The film industry is like an engine in the cultural/entertainment business. It can take the lead and help boost industries involved in audio-video products, broadcasting, publishing, fashion, toy manufacturing and tourism," said Hung Chung-chuan (
In the past, one of the main government funding systems for filmmaking was the "Guidance and Assistance Fund for Motion Pictures" (
Partly as a result, the majority of Taiwan films lack a sales and marketing strategy because most of the money has been spent on the film. Hence, Taiwan's reputation for producing good art films but a shaky distribution system.
"Now, by rewarding investors in film, we hope to encourage Taiwan's private sector. But, with the guidance and assistance fund for filmmakers, a means to support creativity will still be in place," Chou said.
The amendment to the Motion Picture Law, however, is just one part of a series of new projects, according to the GIO. There are plans to help fund film marketing, financing and international co-production projects.
Another aim is to increase the marketability of Taiwanese films. At the Cannes Film Festival, Taiwan has for the first time set up a Taiwan Film stand, taking 49 films made in Taiwan from 2001 to 2003 to the Cannes Film Market. There are two pamphlets to introduce the 49 film projects and information on Taiwan's film companies.
In the pamphlets, apart from Lin Cheng-sheng's Robinson's Cruise (
On Tuesday, the GIO and Taiwan filmmmaking delegates will hold a Taiwan Night wine party in Cannes. "We are spending NT$5 million in total for the Taiwan Film stand and Taiwan Night. And in the future we will be using the name of Taiwan Film to enter the other important film markets," Chou said.
Setting up a film stand and holding parties to promote a country's film industry is common in such giant markets as Cannes. Hong Kong has been holding a star-studded Hong Kong Night in Cannes for the past two years. Now, Taiwan has finally joined the battle.
Chou admitted that the example of other Asian countries was one of the reasons the GIO is now taking steps to promote Taiwan films.
"Films can be seen as an index to a country's culture and they can reflect the depth and history of a culture, like South Korea or Thailand.
"Looking back in Taiwan, we may be proud of our Chinese heritage. We used to have a prosperous film industry that made martial arts and entertainment movies in the 1970s. But it is now time to reboot the film industry," Chou said.
Another part of the government's reform package of the film industry is the government's endorsement of the 2008 National Development Focus Projects (2008
South Korea's fast-growing film industry and computer game industry provides Taiwan with a good example of the role of the government in boosting industries that deal with entertainment and creativity, supporters of the funding say.
Presently, the Ministry of Finance (
"Encouraging investment is something many filmmakers have been longing for. I have only one thing to say to the GIO. That is, we are happy to see it. Please do it soon," said director Lin Cheng-sheng.
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