TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The documentary film "Invisible Nation" (看不見的國家) by American filmmaker Vanessa Hope will make its nationwide Taiwan debut on June 13, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the presidency of Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Taiwan's first female president, while chronicling the island's remarkable democratic evolution.
Promotional materials unveiled Tuesday (April 29) showcase the film's striking poster, which features Taiwan's majestic Yushan mountain alongside prominent female political leaders including President Tsai, former representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and political veterans Chen Chu (陳菊), Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶), and Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君). These figures appear superimposed against recognizable Taiwanese landmarks such as Liberty Square and Taipei 101, visually representing the convergence of women's political ascendance with Taiwan's historical journey.
Hope, who earned her doctorate in East Asian studies from the University of Chicago, brings over a decade of filmmaking experience to the project. Her previous works have garnered international recognition at prestigious festivals including Berlin and Cannes. The director was moved to create "Invisible Nation" following Taiwan's watershed 2016 election, remarking, "Taiwanese people deeply inspired me."
The documentary provides unprecedented access to Tsai's eight-year presidency, chronicling Taiwan's evolving national identity and democratic institutions during a period of increasing regional tensions. Hope's cameras followed Tsai through critical moments as she maintained resolute opposition to military pressure and political interference from China (People's Republic of China). The filmmaker gained remarkable access to the presidential residence, capturing more personal dimensions of the typically reserved leader.