Prague: Three fully or jointly created Taiwanese documentaries have been selected for this year's One World International Human Rights Film Festival, taking place from March 12 to April 27 in the Czech Republic. The selected films are "XiXi," "Island in Between," and "Address Unknown: Fukushima Now."
According to Focus Taiwan, "XiXi," directed by Taiwanese director Wu Fan, documents Wu's chance encounters and interactions with Chinese improv artist XiXi and the two's soul-searching journey about womanhood, resilience, and the transformative power of personal reinvention. The film, selected for the festival's "Female Gaze" section, was screened on Saturday and will be shown again on March 18.
Also showing at the festival is the Taiwanese-American-Japanese production "Address Unknown: Fukushima Now." Shot using immersive VR technology, the film takes audiences to the heart of Fukushima to meet the survivors living in the shadow of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and the ensuing nuclear accident today. Dozens of screenings have been planned for the film from March 13 to March 20 as part of the festival's Immersive Films Competition.
"Island In Between," directed by Taiwanese-American S. Leo Chiang and shot using a first-person perspective, weaves together a narrative on the relationship between Taiwan, its outlying Kinmen County, and China from the perspectives of tourists and locals. It also explores the experiences of Chiang's father serving as a soldier at the offshore military outpost. The documentary will go on a nationwide tour at schools across the Czech Republic.
Ke Liang-ruey, Taiwan's representative to the Czech Republic, stated that the One World festival offers a platform for Taiwanese productions to engage in dialogue with audiences worldwide. He noted that the three films shown at the festival this year have received high praise from the jury for their narrative skills and artistic achievements, showcasing the creativity of Taiwanese filmmakers.
The selections underscore the shared value of human rights between Taiwan and the Czech Republic and represent a collaboration between the two countries in the cultural field. Launched by Czech nonprofit organization People in Need in 1999, the One World Festival is the largest human rights film festival in the world, bringing international works on human rights to local audiences. One of the festival's highlights is the discussions that take place throughout the event, involving guests from around the world, including filmmakers, protagonists, and human rights advocates.