Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee (李安) yesterday called on the nation to nurture more screenwriters and urged the government to help re-invigorate the local film industry.
"The work of a qualified screenwriter is the key to attracting audiences to theaters," Lee said. "We have a lot of unique cultural issues and topics here in Taiwan and you will not find them anywhere else. I think we should take good advantage of those to make our own movies."
Lee made the remarks during a speech at the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei hotel yesterday morning. He was speaking at an event organized by the Government Information Office to enable him to share his experiences with local filmmakers and artists.
Premier Su Tseng-chang (
The renowned director said that although he is now based in Hollywood, he still cares about the local film industry and hopes that the country will be able to develop more filmmakers.
"We have enough manpower, enough technique, enough money and enough knowledge to promote the industry. However, we do not have enough storytellers whose stories can attract more people to buy tickets," Lee said.
"I am glad to see the premier here today. I have heard that he is a doer, rather than just a talker. If he becomes president some day, I hope he will continue to promote Taiwan's film industry," Lee said.
Su said that he agreed with Lee's assertion that good "storytellers" were very important and he urged the public to support local filmmakers and their work.
"As the director said, a good story will touch people's hearts," Su said. "Actually, I think [Lee's] own story is encouraging, since he was born in Pingtung County, grew up in Tainan City and became famous in the US."
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