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Films

Series I: Beijing

Beijing is an ancient city, which dates back to more than 3,000 years ago and has served as the nation's political and cultural center since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). It is a city built to inspire made manifest in the beautiful Forbidden City, and to defend itself from the enemy manifested in the Great Wall. The mixed usage have been reflected through detailed ornaments, as well as the solid structure and sizes. But most significantly, such philosophies are reflected in the Hutongs -- Beijing's narrow lanes and ancient alleys. Many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Traditionally, thousands of alleys and quadrangles became residential areas for the people living in the capital, and an optimum defense strategy during war time.

Although when compared to the other two cities, Beijing lags far behind in economic development, but still remains an urban metropolis, comprising of McDonalds, modern high-rise buildings juxtaposed with traditional Chinese architecture which presents a image full of contrasts and fast changes. In this series, many films have reflected the confusion and schizophrenia that Beijing possesses on its residents. In City Paradise and Call Me portrays migrants who have traveled to the city with dreams, but struggle to survive in such a chaotic environment where traditional customs collide with an industrial and materialistic outlook.

Breaking the Silence explores the social system by examining the struggles of a young mother with her deaf child. Fish and Elephant and LanYu explore the taboo subject of homosexuality in the throes of contemporary Beijing life.

These films reflect the city's interchangeable flavors - so densely populated and at the same time each individual must deal with the isolation and loneliness the city inflicts upon her inhabitants.

Series II: Hong Kong

Hong Kong, most famous for its shopping and night life, used to be called the brightest jewel in the Queen's crown. Originally, Hong Kong was only a small fishing island situated in the South China sea. In 1842, the end of the first Opium War, the Treaty of Nanking ceded Hong Kong to Britain in perpetuity. In 1898, Britain acquired the New Territories on a 99-year lease. Since then, it has continued to develop and now totals 6.4 million in population. In 1997, July 1st, the British returned both Hong Kong and New Territories to China under 'one country, two systems' arrangement; Hong Kong had become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. The Joint Declaration also provides that for 50 years after 1997, Hong Kong's lifestyle will remain unchanged. The territory will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs, and China's socialist system and policies will not be practiced in Hong Kong.

Since Hong Kong is not a country, it has never stirred up strong emotional or patriotic sentiments. And the city was encouraged by the British government, to focus on the financial development and avoid the politic involvement to become a land of opportunity. Hong Kong, as the busiest financial district in the world, maintains a loud, fast, impatient, the only moment that matters is now attitude. Many citizens in Hong Kong have an immigrant mentality, without permanent roots, and in a perpetually transitional mode valuing only the here and now.

From the series many films reflect the economic and political changes in the city. For example From the Queen to the Executive deals with the injustices of forgotten juvenile offenders who suffer mercilessly through the political transformation during the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

The lunar trilogy (After the Crescent, Among the Stars) films successfully paint the city of Hong Kong -- full of sounds, colors and so many flavors. The characters find themselves in situations that are as boundless and yet so distant as the stars in the heavens.

On the other hand these films reflect a highly Westernized society, and economic success, Hong Kong has enjoyed the high standard of living and possesses the best of both worlds -- the freedom found in the West, the virtue of hard work from the East.

Series III: Taipei: Sprouting the Political Dynamic

Taipei City is a shining advertisement for the island of Taiwan. In recent years it rates as one of Asia's most livable capitals. Taiwan was a colony for Japan during the Qing Dynasty. Following WWII Japan's surrender on August 14, 1945 China reclaimed the island. Taipei, as the capital of Taiwan, has a strong Japanese influence, in both the architecture and life style. Because of the colonization history, Taipei has never developed its own cultural identity, it continues to acquire bits and pieces from other foreign cultures, especially USA, Japan, and Korea. Moreover on account of the island mentality, Taipei is very open and accepting of outside influences, yet at the same time it is difficult for anything to take deep root.

Although the city has been growing increasingly cosmopolitan, Taipei retains a very grass roots, country feeling, that surpasses the high rises, men and women dressed in fine tailor made suits. In the city there are the streets bustling with garish shop signs, illegal street vendors and pachinko parlors, betelnut stands, karaoke booths at every street corner. The city is complex and energetic and is beginning to take on a life of its own.

The films Millenniums Mambo and Betelnut Beauty reflect Taipei as a classic immigrant city, whose citizens form a 'mixed crew' many may earn their living here, but do not share collective memories, and lack any bonds of affection toward the city.

The films in this series depicts Taipei, compared to the other two cities is the only place in the Chinese community where a mutual civil society can function, with its freedom of speech and democratic political system which make the city both lively and chaotic.