Taiwan Cinefest 2012

 

Europe’s ultimate Taiwanese film festival is returning to London this May for its 4th edition. Running from May 24th to 26th, the Taiwan Cinefest will have its opening night at the Apollo Cinema in Piccadilly, and then all additional screenings will take place at the Horse Hospital Gallery in Bloomsbury.

This year’s selection upholds the rich and vibrant tradition of Taiwan’s emerging talent, encompassing a wide range of genres. Audiences will have a rare opportunity to participate in a special Q & A session on the opening night with Joe Lee, director of 'The Spin Kid'. Other films shown during the festival include the UK premieres of  Huang Chien-liang’s 'War Game 229', Pen Chia-chia’s 'Leaving Gracefully', Cheng Yu-chieh’s 'Days We Stared at the Sun' and Kung Wen-Yen’s smash hit 'Mayday 3DNA'.

Film Festival Programme:

15th May
New Talent Showcase & 2012 Best Short Film Award Presentation – Brunei Gallery, SOAS, 15th May 2012, 5.30 – 9pm

24th May
Opening Film, 'The Spin Kid' [UK Premiere]
Taiwanese heart-throb Blue Lan plays A-Hao, an aspiring young DJ in this superbly tense gangster drama. This dark tale of romance expertly combines action with the visual richness of traditional Chinese religious imagery and delves into the Taipei’s enthralling rave scene.  Q&A with Director Joe Lee.

25th May
'War Game 229' [UK Premiere]
This fast-paced, heart-warming drama showcases the endless talent of Taiwan’s veteran actors. The film is a truly unique way of understanding the heavy subject of the cross Taiwan Straitt history through humor, action and excitement.

25th May
'Leaving Gracefully' [UK Premiere]
Based on a true story, love triumphs over every adversity in this story of a man coming to terms with his wife’s debilitating neurological illness. The film is a bittersweet and uplifting tale of how a couple’s love triumphs after one is diagnosed with a degenerative illness, set against the jaw-dropping beauty of Taiwan.

26th May
'Days We Stared at the Sun' [UK Premiere]
This brave and unique film conveys some of the key social issues facing teenagers today and issues which are universal in nature. Two friends push the boundaries of their youth, battling to overcome issues from drug dependency, poverty and violence.

26th May
Closing Film 'Mayday 3DNA'  [UK Premiere]
Interweaving three fictional stories with live footage of Asia’s biggest and ultimate band on tour, 3DNA provides a perfect glimpse and introduction to the sensation that is Mayday.

For more information and the latest updates, you can visit the Taiwan Cinefest website at www.taiwancinefest.com.

 

'War Game 229'

 

Posted May 05, 2012