Introduction to the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (TGHFF) is set to begin with the world premiere of Taiwanese director Chen Yu-Hsun’s film, A Foggy Story, and will close with the Japanese director Tetsuya Mariko’s film, Dear Stranger, starring Hidetoshi Nishijima, who will also be the filmmaker of the festival, and Taiwanese star Gwei Lun-Mei. The festival, which runs from November 6th to 23rd, will feature the directors and main cast presenting their films at the opening and closing ceremonies.
About the Opening Film: A Foggy Story
A Foggy Story is set in the era of Taiwan’s white terror and follows a young girl from Chiayi City as she travels north to reclaim her brother’s remains. The period drama showcases director Chen’s unique blend of humor and in-depth exploration of the ambiguous line between good and evil in human nature. The film features a talented cast, including Caitlin Fang, Golden Horse Best New Performer for 2022 for her role in American Girl, Hong Kong’s Will Or from Drifting, Taiwanese singer and actress 9m88, and Tseng Jing-Hua. The executive producers of the film are Yeh Jufeng and Lee Lieh.
The Director: Chen Yu-Hsun
Chen Yu-Hsun is an experienced director known for his previous works, including the 2014 Berlinale title Zone Pro Site: The Movable Feast and the 2020 film My Missing Valentine’s Day, which won five Golden Horse Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Chen’s unique storytelling style and ability to balance humor and drama have made him a respected figure in the film industry.
About the Closing Film: Dear Stranger
The closing film, Dear Stranger, tells the story of a couple living in New York whose peaceful life is turned upside down after their son is kidnapped. The film explores themes of family bonds and the racial isolation of an immigrant family in a cultural melting pot. This Japan-Taiwan-US collaboration is the first English-language live-action feature for Japan’s Toei Company and will receive its international premiere in Busan this month.
The Director: Tetsuya Mariko
Director Tetsuya Mariko has previously presented films such as Destructive Babies, which won the Best Aspiring Director award at Locarno, and Miyamoto at TGHFF. Mariko’s experience in storytelling and his ability to tackle complex themes have made him a notable figure in the film industry.
Tribute to Hidetoshi Nishijima
The festival will pay tribute to Japanese actor Hidetoshi Nishijima through a filmmaker-in-focus screening of his films, including License to Live, his early work with director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, which earned him the Best Actor award at the Japanese Professional Film Awards; Cut by Iranian director Amir Naderi; and the Oscar-winning film Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, for which Nishijima won the Best Actor award at the National Society of Film Critics’ Awards and the Japan Academy Film Prize. This tribute is a testament to Nishijima’s talent and contributions to the film industry.
