Taiwan’s new English-language global streaming platform, Taiwan+, has launched a Taiwan Cinema programme with a selection of 10 films headlined by Ang Lee’s 'Father Knows Best' trilogy – “Pushing Hands” (1991), “Eat Drink Man Woman” (1994) and “The Wedding Banquet” (1993).
Taiwan+, which launched at the end of August this year, says the films “exemplify the diversity of Taiwan’s culture, peoples, and history”.
Hailed for their unrestrained portrayals of Eastern family dynamics, the collection is available for free globally (ex N. America, Mexico, Germany and France) until 31 December 2021.
The seven other films include “The Fourth Portrait” (2010), about a son left behind after the death of his father, and “Soul” (2013), about the mysterious collapse of a young chef that leads to a terrifying spiritual possession in the mountains.
TaiwanPlus CEO, Joanne Tsai, said the 10 titles from different eras and themes “provide the audience a window into Taiwan’s culture and diversity”.
A trio of restored films include two cult favourite black and white films from the Taiwan Hollywood era of the 1960s – “The Fantasy of Deer Warrior” (1961), “Vengeance of the Phoenix Sisters” (1968) and “Wheel of Life” (1983), an anthology helmed by King Hu that features three main characters reincarnating into the same twisted love triangle in each segment.
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