Yellow Sheep River (黃羊川)
This unorthodox Taiwanese documentary about remote Chinese rural villages is screening until next Friday at Cinema7 (formerly known as Spring Cinema Galaxy) in Ximending after earning a good reputation at the Taipei Film Festival. Impressionistic rather than narrative-driven, the director has assembled a series of vignettes of humanity and geographical beauty — all linked together by a wandering blind musician. Screening without subtitles in any language, the politics of it all, if any, is in the eye of the beholder.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
For most kids growing up decades ago, G.I. Joe was a straightforward action figure. The protagonist of this effects-laden sequel seems to bear little resemblance to the macho grunt, though there’s still plenty of action and plenty of macho traipsing around, even if the futuristic setting dilutes the classic Rambo aesthetic. In this one, our heroes are intercepted by agents belonging to Quantum, er, “Cobra,” as they transport powerful weapons from A to B. Anyone still reeling from the Transformers sequel (whose action figures are owned by the same company that peddles G.I. Joe and friends) might want to pass on this one, but if you’re into watching French national landmarks bite the dust and can’t get enough of the sandy expanses of Egypt, then this is the film for you. From the director of The Mummy.
Mia and the Migou
Mia is a little girl who must battle dastardly developers with their eyes on prime forest and rescue her father from a mining accident. Never fear: There is a strange creature — a migou — that will help her in her quest. This animated film from a pro-environment French film studio was apparently six years in the making, and some may wonder where all the time and money was spent. The migou, by the way, appears to be a European take on the yeti, or Abominable Snowman.
Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend
Our best blue friend returns in this entry that was released in Japan early last year. Doraemon’s buddy Nobita manages to turn a sapling into a smart little boy, which is splendid for all the family — until a threat to all Earth’s trees emerges from another planet. There’s more credible action than the G.I. Joe sequel, more environmental credibility than Mia and the Migou and, for kids, more laughs than Bruno.
7eventy 5ive
The tired gimmicks start with the alphanumeric title and continue with a weirdo offing a bunch of “college students” who look even older than the balding lechers of Porky’s Revenge. Dork graduate friends think prank calls are a fun way of wasting time until one of the recipients turns out to have a psychopathic urge. Cue the domino effect of “teen” slaughter. That fine Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, who must have needed the work, is not even top billed here as a cop who cleans up after some messy conversations. Starts tomorrow.
Pixar: 20 Years of Animation
Last week, one of animation studio Pixar’s best offerings, Up, opened in Taipei. From today, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum hosts a traveling exhibition devoted to the history of Pixar, including drawings, digital paintings, sculptures, sketches, installations and — of course — short films. This is a treat for kids and movie/animation lovers of all ages — and a milestone in the history of a studio that set new standards for not just animation but movies in general. For more details see the museum’s Web site at www.tfam.museum, and don’t miss Noah Buchan’s article in Thursday’s edition of the Taipei Times, which includes an interview with the exhibition’s curator, Elyse Klaidman.
Cobalt Blue
This beautifully titled and filmed Japanese feature crept into a single Taipei theater last week with no fanfare. Set in Okinawa, this is the story of three friends who grow up together, only for the dynamics between them to change when romance enters the frame. If you loved Cape No. 7, then this one might be of interest.
April 14 to April 20 In March 1947, Sising Katadrepan urged the government to drop the “high mountain people” (高山族) designation for Indigenous Taiwanese and refer to them as “Taiwan people” (台灣族). He considered the term derogatory, arguing that it made them sound like animals. The Taiwan Provincial Government agreed to stop using the term, stating that Indigenous Taiwanese suffered all sorts of discrimination and oppression under the Japanese and were forced to live in the mountains as outsiders to society. Now, under the new regime, they would be seen as equals, thus they should be henceforth
Last week, the the National Immigration Agency (NIA) told the legislature that more than 10,000 naturalized Taiwanese citizens from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) risked having their citizenship revoked if they failed to provide proof that they had renounced their Chinese household registration within the next three months. Renunciation is required under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例), as amended in 2004, though it was only a legal requirement after 2000. Prior to that, it had been only an administrative requirement since the Nationality Act (國籍法) was established in
With over 80 works on display, this is Louise Bourgeois’ first solo show in Taiwan. Visitors are invited to traverse her world of love and hate, vengeance and acceptance, trauma and reconciliation. Dominating the entrance, the nine-foot-tall Crouching Spider (2003) greets visitors. The creature looms behind the glass facade, symbolic protector and gatekeeper to the intimate journey ahead. Bourgeois, best known for her giant spider sculptures, is one of the most influential artist of the twentieth century. Blending vulnerability and defiance through themes of sexuality, trauma and identity, her work reshaped the landscape of contemporary art with fearless honesty. “People are influenced by
The remains of this Japanese-era trail designed to protect the camphor industry make for a scenic day-hike, a fascinating overnight hike or a challenging multi-day adventure Maolin District (茂林) in Kaohsiung is well known for beautiful roadside scenery, waterfalls, the annual butterfly migration and indigenous culture. A lesser known but worthwhile destination here lies along the very top of the valley: the Liugui Security Path (六龜警備道). This relic of the Japanese era once isolated the Maolin valley from the outside world but now serves to draw tourists in. The path originally ran for about 50km, but not all of this trail is still easily walkable. The nicest section for a simple day hike is the heavily trafficked southern section above Maolin and Wanshan (萬山) villages. Remains of
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