Myriad Voices: Reframing Taiwan New Cinema

‘We worked together on the project and what mattered most wasn’t whether we made something successful. It was the team spirit and the strength we put together then. Something we don’t see today.’– Sylvia Chang

The 1980s were a transformative period for Taiwan, marked by economic growth and rapid urbanisation. Movements for democracy and women’s rights grew in strength, culminating in the eventual lifting of martial law in 1987. In the first half of the decade, the Central Motion Picture Corporation explored new possibilities for Taiwanese cinema by producing low-budget films and supporting emerging talent, and it is from this context that Taiwan New Cinema emerged. As the above quote indicates, this innovative film movement was grounded in a collective spirit of creativity, playfulness, and humility. Yet, while auteurs like Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-Hsien are internationally recognised, many pivotal figures remain lesser known. This season hopes to paint a fuller picture of this vibrant film movement and shift the spotlight towards lesser known but vital contributors, whose work helped shape this new cinematic expression. Several films in the season, such as My Favorite Season and This Love of Mine, draw on feminist writing, centring women’s lives in a transitional space where tradition and aspiration collide. Boldly confronting both artistic and political challenges, Taiwan New Cinema continues to resonate within the world of cinema today.

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