69th BFI London Film Festival: “Left-Handed Girl” Review

Left-Handed Girl is one of those films that makes your heart ache and smile at the same time. In her stunning solo debut, Taiwanese filmmaker Shih-Ching Tsou tells the story of a family who, in the face of struggle, confront painful secrets yet ultimately rediscover what matters most: their love for one another. Following a…

82nd Venice Film Festival: “Praying Mantis” Review

Praying Mantis is an 18-minute hand-drawn animation short film co-directed by Hong Kong director Yonfan and Taiwanese filmmaker Joe Hsieh, breaking his six-year silence. The film merges Yonfan’s expertise in portraying complex female characters with Hsieh’s recurring motifs of lust and death, telling the story of a mother who sacrifices herself entirely for her child…

27th Far East Film Festival: “Organ Child” Review

Organ trading generates over $1.7 billion annually, and about 10% of all transplants are believed to be illegal, staggering figures that are steadily rising across the globe, particularly on Asian continent. Reading about the plight of Falun Gong practitioners in China sheds light on the horrifying reality behind these statistics. Organ trafficking thrives because of…

38th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival – In Conversation with Su I-Hsuan, Director of “Who’ll Stop the Rain”

Taiwan’s politics has always included a range of issues such as relations with mainland China, sovereignty, democracy, and human rights. These issues have sparked significant debate and activism within Taiwanese society, driving movements for greater autonomy, democratic reforms, and social justice.  Looking at the cinematic narratives, some stories combine personal lives with politics in a…