Excited
UPDATE: Congrats to the winner! “alicewong” will be seeing the movie this weekend at Landmark’s Shattuck! Also, filmmaker Will Tiao will speak with audiences for Q&As on Friday, February 26, at AMC Cupertino Square 16 in Cupertino at 1:40 showtimes, and at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley at 7:05 showtime (following the Shattuck Q&A will be an informal “meet-and-greet” at Lot 68 Lounge at same location.)
Formosa Betrayed has been on my radar for years and as I was driving to a screening of this film last week, I was afraid that I’d built up so many expectations in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.
A few months ago, I met up with Will Tiao and Adam Kane in Formosa Films’ Hollywood offices on the eve of my own trip to Taiwan. At that time, Formosa Betrayed had just been picked up for distribution by Screen Media Films. We discussed how Formosa Betrayed is not a documentary and how the filmmakers were trying to create a great narrative story with the true untold history of Taiwan as a backdrop. Bravo to the filmmakers for telling an important story that has been silenced for too long. Although the characters are fictionalized, I was impressed by the accuracy regarding many of the historical events mentioned in the film.
After the screening, I met a couple of ladies who had questions about Taiwanese history. The movie sparked a wonderful conversation between us — one of the ladies was of Taiwanese descent, but said that her family never talked about “this stuff” because her parents sat on opposite sides when it came to Taiwanese politics. I encouraged her to use events she saw in the movie as a springboard for her to have conversations with her parents — not about politics, but about her family history and how historical events shaped them.
Although much of the storyline is through the eyes of a American (white) FBI agent played by James Van Der Beek, the hero(es) of the movie are Taiwanese. I often hear Asian Americans complain that they don’t see their stories being told on the silver screen. Kudos to Will Tiao for taking the bull by the horns to write, fundraise for, and produce the story he wanted to tell.
My conversation with Will & Adam was in the back of my mind as I headed to Asia; without even seeing the film, it had already inspired me to ask questions and learn more about my family history in Taiwan. Many of the things depicted in the movie were things that people were not allowed to talk about in Taiwan for decades. I am grateful Taiwan is now a democracy and that people can be free to ask questions about subjects that had previously been unmentionable.
I plan to see the movie again during opening weekend– this time with my Mom and other friends. Will you see this?
To make it easier for some Bay Area folks: 8Asians is doing a ticket giveaway!
TICKET GIVEAWAY FOR BERKELEY OPENING!
Courtesy of Landmark Theatres, 8Asians is giving away a free pair of tickets for Opening weekend (2/26, 2/27, 2/28) in Berkeley (Landmark’s Shattuck Theatre)All you have to do is to leave a comment with why you want to see this film and one lucky winner will be selected to go!
(Contest will be closed at 12 noon on Thursday, 2/25/2010)
Selected engagement information is located after the jump. [Updated screening schedule]
Coming February 26th:
New York, NY
-Village East: 181 – 189 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, 212-529-6799
-UA Midway Cinemas: 108-22 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375, 212-529-6799
New Jersey
-AMC New Brunswick: 17 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08902, (732) 846-2275
Los Angeles, CA
-AMC Puente Hills: 1560 South Azusa Ave, Rowland Heights, CA 91748, 1-888-AMC-4FUN
-AMC Rolling Hills: 2591 Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505, 1-888-AMC-4FUN
-Beverly Center 13: 8522 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, (310) 652-7760
-Edwards Atlantic Palace 10: 700 W. Main St., Alhambra, CA 91801, (310) 652-7760
Orange County, CA
-Edwards Westpark 8: 3755 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606, (949) 622-8609
-Regal Garden Grove 16: 9741 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841, (714) 530-9864
Boston, MA
-AMC Boston Commons: 175 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111, (617) 423-5801
Bay Area, CA
-Century San Francisco Centre 9: 845 Market Street 5th floor of Westfield Shopping Centre,
San Francisco, CA 94103, (415) 538-8422
-Landmark Shattuck: 2230 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704, (510) 464-5980
-AMC Cupertino: 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014, 1-888-AMC-4FUN
-Cinemark 25 Union Landing: 32100 Alvarado Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587, (510) 487-9347
-Cinemark 20: 1010 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035-8034, (408) 942-7441
Coming March 12th: Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Metro, San Diego
Coming March 26th: Houston, Dallas, Austin, Toronto, Vancouver
Coming April 5th: Seattle, Atlanta, Miami, St. Louis, Kansas City
Coming April 12th: Honolulu, Columbus OH, Detroit/Ann Arbor
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I also know very little about the short Taiwanese history. Also, any media related to Asians is a-ok with me!
I just realized that after checking out the film's website. I must have documentaries on the brain. Tzi Ma is a great actor.
A lot of talented folks where involved in the making of this film. This process took years and involved more than one person. That being said, this film also lets American audiences understand Taiwan and their struggle for independence. I also feel that the film will get people to read the book although they are not connected.
Sorry that you and Will didn't connect, but there's a lot more going on here with this film that quite positive and engaging. It should be commended.
Hi Alice! Just to be clear, though this movie is inspired by actual events, this movie is NOT a documentary!
i want to go because to be honest, i know very little to nothing about taiwan's history. and i'm also curious to see the work of will tiao who's shifted his knowledge and background in international affairs to documentary film, something i find both fascinating and enriching.
I've met Will Tiao several times as well. I could care less if he is trying to make this film just to jump start his film career - how else is a Taiwanese American actor going to make it in Hollywood? But I do not think that is his only reason. He wouldn't have spent the past three years trying to raise money for the film in $25k chunks if he weren't committed to telling this story. Of course the story is inspired by / fictional - no one is disputing that. You just sound jealous.
I've spoken with Will Tiao multiple times from the conception of the project over four years ago.
The events that the film depicts are FICTIONAL (notice they use the tagline "inspired by" rather than "based on").
Will has also bragged multiple times that he wanted to create a movie starring himself to jumpstart his Hollywood career.
If you're interested in the White Terror or 228, buy a ticket to Taiwan and visit 228 Memorial Park instead, or go on a tour sponsored by the Tsunah Foundation, or read the ACTUAL EVENTS in the book "Formosa Betrayed" by George Kerr, who Tiao stole the title from without giving any credit to.
Do NOT give money to this man from Kansas who doesn't even visit Taiwan or speak Mandarin or Taiwanese. He is using this film as vehicle for his career, and doesn't care the least about those who suffered.
Hello, I am a Taiwanese who just came here for college this year. I'm very excited for this film to come out.
Peterlo and his attractive taiwanese female companion would very much like to see this film!
Hi, I have two children who were adopted from Tainan, Taiwan and I want to learn as much as I can about the history of where they came from so they have a better sense of who they are as they grown up.
Thank you, Tim
I would love to check this documentary out. My mom grew up in Taiwain in the 60s and 70s. Pick me!
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