(Shining Chen)
The Hollywood Reporter calls it “a bit of legend and magic into history,” 1 the Variety wishes it were “less kitschy and more coherent” but says “the film-making has a raw physicality and crazy conviction it’s hard not to admire,” 2 while the China-friendly media criticize that the Festival “bowed to diplomatic pressure from Taiwan.” 3
Seediq Bale is based on a historical event in Taiwan, but why does this film mean so much to the Taiwanese? And why did the Taiwan-educated director make the film this way?
The Taiwanese film Seediq Bale receives high attention, mixed reviews and even became a political battlefield at the Venice Film Festival 2011. At home in Taiwan, it is highly praised. Both President Ma and Chairwoman Tsai of the largest opposition party saw the movie on Sept. 04.
Ms. Tsai wrote an article on her blog (in Mandarin) the next day, which received 11K Facebook users’ Likes – that is 0.05% of the Taiwan population – in 5 days. Tsai wrote about a short conversation with Director Wei Te-Sheng. She wrote, “I know he cares much more about how the Taiwanese see this film than winning any award. … It is not easy for a Taiwanese to make such a film.” 4
“What is exactly so difficult?” is the question that many international viewers and critics are asking.