Ang Lee Graces Taiwan Cinema Party

TAIPEI, TAIWAN--(Marketwired - May 20, 2013) - Drawing more than 500 people, Taiwan Cinema Party held at Plage Royale in Cannes Film Festival on May 18 was a successful hit. Taipei Factory executive producers Lee Lieh, Yeh Jufeng, and director Chang Jung-chi, Shen Ko-shang, Midi Chao, Singing Chen, Jero Yun, and Luis Cifuentes attended the party to show support for Taiwan Cinema. Taipei Factory is the only Taiwanese feature to have official screening at the film festival. Many people were cheering and taking photos of director Ang Lee when he showed up at the party unexpectedly. The ambiance was fun and relaxed.

Surrounded by a large number of reporters, Ang Lee said he was very excited to attend Taiwan Cinema Party in Cannes, and he is looking forward to seeing Taiwan directors presenting diverse films for the audiences. Chinese-speaking films, in his view, will have a prosperous future.

After speaking briefly to the press, Ang Lee joined Taipei Factory directors at the corner of the party and shared with them how he felt when he presented his film in Cannes for the first time. In 1994, Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman was selected as the opening film for the Cannes' Directors' Fortnight. He still remembered how excited he was to bring his film to Cannes at that time. "Presenting one's film at Directors' Fortnight is a good start. Directors' Fortnight is a great platform for emerging directors, as it has nourished many talented filmmakers," Ang Lee said to the young directors. Lee also encouraged the young directors to follow their heart, and instead of making films that cater to the mainstream market, it is better to make films that one really likes.

Taiwan Cinema Party began with a puppet show presented by Michel Lu, Taiwan's representative to France, followed by Chen Chih-cheng, the director of the Taiwan Culture Center in Paris, who welcomed filmmakers from around the world to shoot movies in Taiwan on behalf of Minister of Culture Lung Ying-tai. Mr. Lu shared with the guests the film industry and development of Taiwan and congratulated Ang Lee on his joining the Cannes jury this year. The two-minute trailer of Taipei Factory was made public at the party, and director Tang Chen-yu also presented his latest feature Battle Spirit. Director Hung Chia-li, Chiao Chia-hung, Chi Po-chou, Tseng Wei-liang, Yang Dow-ning, Yi Chin-tsou, and Hsu Yi-ling, whose works were selected into the Cannes Short Film Corner, were invited to come up on stage. Filmmakers, Mr. Lu, and Mr. Chen raised their glasses and gave toasts at the party.

Guests attending Taiwan Cinema Party this year include directors and programmers from international film festivals, directors from film commissions, and media covering international events. One of the most noticed guests at the party was Julien Dray, Vice President of Ile de France region, who also doubles as chairman of Ile-de-France Film Commission.

About Taipei Film Commission
The Taipei Film Commission was established at the end of 2007 to provide assistance for film production in Taipei city. As a semi-governmental organization with the city mayor as chairman and industry professionals as commissioners, the TFC is resourceful and flexible at the same time. Whether it is about location scouting, tax credit, transportation arrangement or promotion, the TFC is committed to doing its best to make movie-making projects in Taipei as rewarding and successful as possible. The TFC is also developing strategic plans to strengthen the local film industry.