The newly minted 4K restoration of late director Edward Yang's (楊德昌) 1994 Taiwanese satirical comedy film "A Confucian Confusion (獨立時代)" will make its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in August this year.
"A Confucian Confusion," an absurd comedy, satirizes the Confucian society in Taiwan that prides itself for being liberal and open while falling to be cautious of the capitalistic trap. The film also shows traces of Yang's career spanning both film and theatre. Featuring award-winning actors Chen Yi-wen (陳以文), Chen Shiang-chyi (陳湘琪), Berson Wang (王柏森), Elaine Jin (金燕玲), the film previously won the Best Original Screenplay at the 31st Golden Horse Awards.
Upon receiving authorization from Yang's wife, Peng Kaili (彭鎧立), the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute began to work on the digital restoration of the film and it will be shown for the first time at the Venice International Film Festival from Aug. 31 through Sep. 10. TFAI Director Wang Chun-Chi (王君琦) stated that "A Confucian Confusion" gives people a glimpse of the phenomena that has been a concern of Yang for almost 30 years, such as emotional labor. With the re-release of the digitally restored film, people will be able to relate to his thoughts, unlike back then when he was ahead of the curve, Director Wang added.
Edward Yang was one of the most iconic and world-famous Taiwanese directors of the 1980s' "Taiwan New Cinema," which marked the beginning of Taiwan cinema's unique and innovative culture and brought extraordinary achievements to the global cinematic scene.
The complete lineup of the 79th Venice International Film Festival has been announced. The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms as art, entertainment and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue.
(Photo courtesy of Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute)