TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's historical documentary "Qianlong's Tour of the West Lake" has been selected for the Cinema Regained category at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), enhancing the global recognition of Taiwan's traditional hand puppetry culture.
Directed by Liu Yi-hung in 1994, the film was restored from 35mm original footage to 4K. The film pays homage to Taiwanese puppet master Li Tien-lu and his 'I Wan Jan Puppet Theater.' The IFFR's acknowledgment of Liu's work underscores its worth, showcasing Taiwan's cinematographic prowess.
Born into a family of puppeteers, Li founded the I Wan Jan Puppet Theater in 1932, instilling it with his distinctive and powerful Southern Min dialect. In the later years of his career, he was invited to perform in renowned films such as "Dust in the Wind" and "A City of Sadness."
IFFR, promoting experimental and locally-rooted new creations, had the Taiwanese puppet film "Demigod: The Legend Begins" screened three times in 2023, reaching its popularly-elected list.
The selection of "Qianlong's Tour of West Lake" for the 2024 Rotterdam Film Festival further highlights Taiwan's traditional puppetry culture, bringing it closer to European movie enthusiasts.
The IFFR, spanning from Jan. 25 to Feb. 4, 2024, has selected three Taiwanese films. In addition to "Qianlong's Tour of the West Lake," there are "Who'll Stop the Rain" by director Su Yi-hsuan and "When the Wind Rises" directed by Chen Hao. The nominated talent reflects the breadth and quality of Taiwan's filmmaking, amply testified by this year's diverse line-up.