Taiwan Film Festival Celebrates Taiwanese Culture with 4 Amazing Films
For its 2023 event, the 7th Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane launched four Taiwanese films – one Taiwanese puppet animation, one drama portraying indigenous people, and two documentaries – at Hoyts Cinemas Sunnybank on 28 Oct. By bringing the vivid and dynamic Taiwanese culture and history to the big screen, the four featuring films received raves and applause from the audience. “Our mission is to promote Taiwanese culture through cinematic art,” said Kaijung Yu, CEO of Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane, “presenting Taiwan’s profound history, abundant nature, contemporary social issues and people to the Australian audience as part of our celebration to multiculturalism.” The opening film, Demigod: The Legend Begins, is a fantasy animation film featuring the unique puppetry art of Taiwan. With its unbelievable camera staging and mind-
Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane is hosted and organized by World Arts & Multi-culture Inc. “We just do our best to bring Taiwanese culture here,” commented Melody Chen, the association's Founding President.
blowing battle choreography, this 2022 award-winning film incorporates action, adventure, and romance in its Marvel-like universe of puppet versions. “Remember Me,” the documentary that followed, explores the stories of three residents on Quemoy (or Kinmen, the tiny island close to Mainland China) and how they reflect upon the upheavals between the two sides of Taiwan Strait. “A Letter to Ama,” the other documentary that took 10 years to finish, leads the audience to dive into a journey of constructing the collective memory of Taiwan. The film’s artistic approach and depth of emotions moved many viewers to tears. “I loved how it was able to incorporate history, culture, perspective and knowledge in such intimate depth. It was very touching,” a comment left by a young viewer in the survey. Written, directed and played by indigenous people, the closing film “Gaga” portrays a Taiwanese
indigenous family, the members’ relationship, struggles, and dilemmas between adapting to the modern world and keeping the ancestors’ doctrine. “Very sad, but beautiful,” commented a viewer after the screening. Taiwan Film Festival in Brisbane is hosted and organized by World Arts & Multi-culture Inc. “We just do our best to bring Taiwanese culture here,” commented Melody Chen, the association's Founding President.
BAPS Diwali and Annakut celebrated in Queensland Parliament house
CONTD. FROM PG 1 Hon. Health Minister -Shannon Fentiman MP, Hon. Education minister – Grace Grace MP, Leader of opposition – David Crisafulli MP, Member for Surfers Paradise – John-Paul Langbroek MP, Queensland police commissioner – Katarina Carroll APM, parliamentarians, Honorary Counsel for India in Queensland - Mrs Archanna Singh ji and Indian community leaders. It was heartening to see all the invited dignitaries take
part in Aarti (Deep parjillan) with lighted tea-lights on their hand. Mantras were recited for the offering of the prepared variety of foods (traditionally thousand varieties/annakuts). All the speakers highlighted the importance of the event and they elaborated on the deeper meaning and message of Diwali. The Premier thanked the community for their efforts and thanked everyone who had attended her reception in November. David Crisafulli MP said he was honoured and humbled by the gesture and how he
10 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, December, 2023
was always welcomed in the community at various events. He specially thanked the young MC for his excellent handling of the important role. Every year BAPS is touching a new milestone,
and it is only possible because of the support of the parliamentarians and Indian community leaders. During the event special presentations on the progress of major BAPS temples throughout the word was show, these included, New
Jersy, Abu Dhabi and Sydney. The Sydney project has begun with a massive retaining wall and footings. The team of engineers reported that they have never seen a retaining
wall of that magnitude. The event which included mantra recitals, bhajans and speeches, concluded with light meal and refreshments for everyone.
