Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles partnered with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to launch a significant Taiwanese program at the 15th edition of the FICUNAM International Film Festival, which took place from May 29 to June 5. This program featured a retrospective of the master filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), with special participation from renowned production designer and director Hwarng Wern-ying (黃文英). Additionally, it included screenings of the acclaimed film “A Journey in Spring (春行)” by emerging Taiwanese directors Wang Ping-wen (王品文) and Peng Tzu-hui (彭紫惠). Through a combination of screenings, discussions, and dialogues, the program aims to showcase the rich aesthetic and creative evolution of Taiwanese cinema, highlighting both its classic works and contemporary voices.
Hou Hsiao-hsien stands as a towering figure in Taiwan’s New Cinema movement, renowned for his profound humanism and meticulous formalism. His films have not only captivated audiences but have also earned prestigious accolades at some of the world’s most esteemed film festivals, including Venice, Berlin, and Cannes. This retrospective offers a remarkable opportunity to delve into nearly four decades of Hou’s cinematic artistry. It features nine pivotal works showcased at UNAM’s Cultural Center and Mexico’s national cinematheque, Cineteca Nacional. Among these masterpieces are “The Boys from Fengkuei (風櫃來的人),” “The Time to Live and the Time to Die (童年往事),” “Dust in the Wind (戀戀風塵),” “Goodbye South, Goodbye (南國再見，南國),” “Flowers of Shanghai (海上花),” “Millennium Mambo (千禧曼波),” “Café Lumière (咖啡時光),” “Three Times (最好的時光),” and “The Assassin (刺客聶隱娘).”
Founded in 2011, FICUNAM has emerged as a pivotal cultural platform in Mexico, dedicated to the exploration and celebration of independent cinema. The 2025 retrospective on renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien exemplifies FICUNAM’s commitment to Asian auteur cinema and underscores the growing cultural connections between Taiwan and Mexico.