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Taiwan Cinema Renaissance on the Way – Seediq Bale

With a name that no one can pronounce? Is it like See Dick Bale? This is a not a joking matter except for when we tell it. This is the largest movie made funded by both John Woo and the Government – yes they’re becoming synonymous these days – at least by the movies he’s making. It’s epic at 24 million dollars and tells the aboriginal tale of a Taiwanese historical figure who fights against… that drum roll… the Japanese! Does he win? Just look up history and you’ll find out. According to Montreal Gazette – “Taiwanese cinema is in the midst of a renaissance,” says Peggy Chiao, Taiwanese film critic, professor and commercial producer. “It’s a question of national identity. For 20 years, Taiwan has been searching for its own distinctive identity. People want to see films that reflect who they are,” she says. The article does go on to explain more about Taiwan cinema, and how some of the actors are being favored in China thanks for their better Mandarin command than the Hong Kong actors. Will Seediq Bale provide any kind of cross over across the seas or across borders? Perhaps not, but it’s a start to yet another industry of entertainment aside from the internationally known films of Hou Hsiao Hsien. (Canada.com – Taiwan Movies)
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Art · art exhibition · artist · asian · chinese american · giant robot · GR2 · Martin hsu · paint · painting · taiwan · taiwanese ·

Giant Robot Interview: Artist Martin Hsu

 

Martin Hsu is friendly with an effervescent positive energy. It’s easy to just write something like that, but when you first meet him and see his eyes get genuinely wide, you’ll know it’s all true. Originally from Taiwan, Hsu lived in Southern California and went to school in Orange County. He’s nearly a 100% LA native, but his recent move to San Francisco provides a new energy into his art work. A slight hike from the Mission District, he lives in the Castro area in a Victorian home.

An impromptu visit yielded a charming house, great artwork everywhere (no, not all by him), and many “cool things”. He made me some tea and showed me his studio area where I got to see his works in progress for Undercurrents, which is beginning at Giant Robot 2 in just under two weeks.

 

GR: How did you get started in art?

MH: As far as I can recall, I started in art on drawing on the back of torn out calendar pages at my grandparents’ house in Taiwan in elementary school. They took care of my cousins and I when our parents were at work. Those are still the most treasured times of my life.

After graduating from CSUF with a degree in animation, I worked professionally as a character designer for a number of years before diving into the world of putting paint on wood. It’s an incredible feeling turning personal ideas into original pieces people enjoy, and I couldn’t do it without the support from my amazing friends and family.

GR: What’s your day time life like? Can you mix that with your art work?

MH: This year I’ve decided to take a break from my professional work and focus on personal art for a bit. For the first time in my life, I’m on my own working for myself and I feel extremely blessed being able to do so. My days nowadays are consisted of lots of walking around in San Francisco. When I’m not sketching or painting, I enjoy lying down on the grass at Dolores Park in between coffee shops watching and listening to people around me. It’s something quite special and I hope to do it for a while.

Some pieces from his upcoming exhibition Undercurrents

 

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blogger · Food · News · taiwan ·

The Reviews Are In: Taiwan Food Blogger Must Do Time

This might make you think twice about complaining the next time the food you’re served in a restaurant is too salty. Well, if you’re going to blog about it or post a review on Yelp, anyway. For it seems salt is the reason a female food blogger in Taiwan drew a jail sentence after a restaurant she reviewed filed a suit objecting to how the restaurant’s food was described. In her review, the blogger said the restaurant’s food was too salty, and that she observed cockroaches while dining. Of the two complaints, one would think the mention of cockroaches would be the greater concern. Not so; for in ruling on the restaurant’s complaint against the blogger, a Taiwan judge determined that noting the presence of the bugs was merely part of the blogger’s narrative describing the restaurant. Labeling the sampled food too salty, apparently, amounted to a defamatory statement which the Taiwanese court determined was excessive and damaging to the restaurant and its owner. As a result, the food blogger must serve 30 days in jail, and was fined about US $7,000 for the infraction. An odd story, at least to us. But just to be safe, we’re going to cook at home tonight (Taipei Times – Food Blogger in Hot Water). The Toronto Globe and Mail has additional details about this strange case.
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