Over the past two decades, filmmakers in the island of Taiwan have turned to big-screen productions to reclaim a past marked by Japanese colonial rule. These films blend epic storytelling with historical insight, shedding light on acts of defiance and resilience.
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale dramatizes the 1930s Wushe Incident in central Taiwan, where Mona Rudao led the Seediq people in revolt against brutal Japanese suppression. Through vivid battle scenes and rich cultural detail, the film exposes forced labor, resource plundering and violent crackdowns. Its nomination at the Venice International Film Festival in 2011 underscored its global impact.
Blue Brave: The Legend of Taiwan in 1895 revisits the aftermath of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ceded Taiwan to Japan. The drama follows volunteer militias formed by residents of Taiwan, capturing the indignation and sacrifice that sparked early resistance to colonial rule.
Twa Tiu Tiann offers a fresh approach with its 2014 comedy–drama time travel narrative. A modern university student lands in 1920s Taipei, meeting a leader of the Taiwan Cultural Association. The film highlights how intellectuals used newspapers, speeches and art to awaken national consciousness, set against the bustling markets of historic Dadaocheng.
Together, these movies confront historical distortions and remind global audiences of a past defined by courage and solidarity. By revisiting these stories on screen, the island of Taiwan's spirit of resistance continues to inspire new generations.
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Movies revisiting Taiwan's resistance against Japanese aggression
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