Taiwan-born film director Ang Lee, who won his second Academy Award for best director earlier this year, is scheduled to return to Taiwan and share his life experiences in several forums next week, the Ministry of Culture said on Friday.
Lee is scheduled to take part in a press conference on May 9 and offer his suggestions on making documentaries in Taiwan. Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai will then join Lee for a talk on the topic of 'My Time and I,' which will be open to the public and broadcast live on TV and online on May 10.
Lee has kept Taiwan close to his heart, said the Minister, who added that his film career started with the support of several official programs funded by the Taiwanese government.
Meanwhile, Taipei's Department of Cultural Affairs also announced a forum that will be held for Lee on May 12 and joined by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Taichung Mayor Jason Hu and TV presenter Sisy Chen.
'Life of Pi,' the blockbuster hit for which Lee won his second Oscar for directing earlier this year, was mostly shot in Taichung, where a dedicated set was built for the movie. Several animals from the Taipei Zoo were also featured.
Chen proposed the event after her meeting with Lee in New York in late April, during which the director said fragility was a driving force behind his works.
Hau said the city was glad to have the opportunity to have Lee share his experiences and tell people about overcoming low points in life.
People who want to attend the Ministry of Culture event on May 10 can sign up through the Ministry's Chinese-language website starting at 12 noon on May 6. The event will be broadcast live by the Public Television Service on TV and online.
Free tickets for the forum held by the Taipei government will be available at the information counters of City Hall and Zhongshan Hall starting at 9 a.m. on May 8. It will be broadcast live on cable news channel CtiTV.Both events will be held at Zhongshan Hall.