The Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo under the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Japan on April 17 launched the annual screening event for Taiwanese films, which are yet to be released in Japanese theaters, and a salon forum revolving around the theme of "Taiwanese films nowadays and the challenges facing emerging directors and elites."
From April 17 to Oct. 16, a total of seven films will be screened. The first film launched on April 17 was "We Are Champions (2019)," a passionate basketball film by director Chang Jung-Chi (張榮吉). Nominated for six categories at the 56th Golden Horse Awards and winning the award for best new actor in 2019, the film won four awards, including the best director award and audience award, at the 22nd Taipei Film Festival in 2020.
According the Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo, Taiwan's film culture has become increasingly diverse with various subject matters. Since the screening event was first held in 2016, it has been well-received by the Japanese audience and has helped garner many Japanese film lovers who are fond of Taiwan, thus contributing to the commercial release of many Taiwanese films in Japan. The screening event has also served as a window for Japanese people to acknowledge Taiwanese culture.
Since last year, due to the impact of the pandemic, new Taiwanese films from the past two years have been selected and screened online for Japanese viewers to enjoy.
The Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo continues its cooperation with Japanese professional film and television network "Asian Paradise" in organizing the screening event. From April 17 to Oct. 16, a total of seven films will be screened, one film each month. Upcoming screenings include "Ga-Tau Chang (我不流行二十年)," "Do You Love Me As I Love You (可不可以，你也剛好喜歡我)," "Chen Uen (千年一問)," "Mickey On The Road (迷走廣州)," short films "Neko and Flies (貓與蒼蠅)" "The Lobster Kid (龍蝦小孩)" as well as "Little Big Women (孤味)" and "Get the Hell Out (逃出立法院)."