Kimbo Hu, called “the godfather of aboriginal folk songs,” is a pioneer of the folk music movement. When Taiwan’s democratization movement was at its height, he sang about the unfair treatment which the aboriginal peoples have suffered. Today, as the aboriginal movement seems to be at an end , Kimbo Hu has returned to his life as a singer, releasing his first album: In a Flash.
Baunay Watan enthusiastically traces his Atayal ancestors’ trail, with the help of the elders of Mepenox and some young cultural workers. They successfully revive an old convention, which had disappeared from daily life for 45 years — the ceremonies of the millet-growing cycle, and the wisdom that comes from people, nature, and local customs working together. They spare no efforts to collect relevant documents and research, interview tribal elders, and join in millet ceremonies held by the elders in the traditional way. Their devoted participation aims to restore the millet tradition as well as its honor. Although each step of the reconstruction is difficult, Watan believes that each footprint they left on the path will become a fertile ground for regeneration.
This is a story that has been forgotten by many of us, but not by Mr. Tomohide Kadowaki, President of Japan’s Akebono Association, who has devoted his life to taking care of the Takasago Volunteers, Taiwanese aboriginal men [were they from a specific tribe or village?] who were drafted into [or volunteered for? ] the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. [NOTE FROM TERI: This summary should have some explanation of who the Takasago Volunteers were, but I’m not familiar with the history.]He spent the savings of his lifetime and sold his properties for the survivors and the surviving families of the Takasago Volunteers. He also published several books that record their stories. Following the footsteps of Mr. Tomohide Kadowaki, we are overwhelmed by the love and the perseverance of this Japanese gentleman, and re-discover the stories of our own people , the Takasago Volunteers.
In December 7th, 2003, the first nationwide organization of “foreign brides,” the Taiwan Southern Asia-Pacific Sisterhood, was established. The association calls for foreign sisters to actively interact with their local communities throughout the island.
Despite diverse nationalities, cultural backgrounds and languages, these sisters are inseparably bound by the fate they share. Languages in Taiwan—Mandarin, Hakka, Minnan—become their common tongue in daily communication. Now, after joining the association, the sisters will give a new meaning to their home.
The protagonist of this film, Shei-Ting, is a Hakka woman from Songkou Township, Meichow City, in mainland China. When she was 27, she met Mr. Chen, from Meinong, who was visiting China to look over prospective brides.Despite her entire family’s disagreement, Shei-Ting decided to marry him and emigrate to Taiwan.
This film aims to demonstrate the fighting spirit and the hopes of the people who live on this land. At the same time, it also manifests the truth that the success of a family depends not only on the individual’s attitude toward life, but also on the mutual support and love of all the family members.