Photographer Chi Po-lin (齊柏林), who made his reputation from photos taken from helicopters, has mortgaged his home to finance his latest project on the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot last year — The Story of New Taiwan — the country’s first film to be shot from a helicopter.
“Many people love Taiwan but do not understand this land. Images speak. I wish to show everyone the beauty of Formosa, sing about the beautiful island and pray for Taiwan,” said the photographer and aspiring filmmaker, who has planned a 100-minute film in three parts: “Views,” “People” and “Stories.”
One story that is being considered for the film is the nation’s forests.
Lack of soil and water conservation caused by tea plantations in certain parts of the country, however, are forcing us to make careful choices about which types of tea leaves to purchase to help protect the land.
Chi, a public servant, has often used his time off to shoot photos from a rented helicopter in the last 20 years. After Typhoon Morakot ravaged the country last year, Chi on Aug. 11 rented a helicopter for his shoot.
“I saw from afar where the Gaoping River (高屏溪) meets the ocean and was shocked to see a sea of washed wood,” he said.
His heart sank as he saw barrier lakes formed at Taimali River (太麻里溪) and Aborginal villages on top of what once were green mountains buried under the mud, Chi said.
This was not the first time he felt sadness for Taiwan, he said. The photograph exhibit at the Huashan Cultural and Creative Industry Center in Taipei displays his photos of Dongshih (東石), Chiayi County, flooded as a result of over-pumping of underground water and the Dahan River (大漢溪) turning orange-red because of pollution.
Many people see bird’s-eye-view photos of Dajian Mountain (大尖山) in Kenting and Wushantou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫) and exclaim at the unseen beauty of these sights.
Some veterans see pictures of a flooded Jiadong Township (佳冬) in Pingtung and think back on rescue efforts during the emergency.
The 47-year-old Chi said he believes films have a greater effect than photographs and wishes to fulfill his dream of making a film before he reaches 50.
After watching Home, a documentary produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand about environmental protection, he started making concrete plans.
Chi scrounged up NT$30 million (US$944,000) in aerial camera equipment by borrowing some money from friends and taking out a mortgage on his home.
He also plans to apply for government subsidies for his production company.
However, he estimates that another NT$80 million to NT$90 million will be needed before he can start shooting.
With the financing nowhere to be seen, Chi’s mother is worried her son will go broke from this project. Even Chi’s son, who is in high school, is worried about future tuition expenses. Chi, however, is not shaken.
“I hope to fulfill my dream within two to three years,” he said.
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