Sylvia Chang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award as Far East Film Festival Sets ‘Green Wave’ as Opener

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Legendary figure in Taiwan’s industry, Sylvia Chang, is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award known as the Golden Mulberry, during the 27th Far East Film Festival. The festival has chosen the Chinese comedy “Green Wave” as its opening film.

This year, the Far East Film Festival is preparing to turn the Italian city of Udine into a bustling Asian cultural center once more, offering its largest edition ever. Over 75 films from 11 different countries will be featured, including 7 world debuts, 15 international premieres, 20 European premieres, and 19 Italian first-viewings.

2021’s movie selection focuses on “time and society as portrayed in cinema,” featuring films that mirror contemporary Asian societal trends. Kicking off the lineup is the Chinese comedy, “Green Wave,” directed by Xu Lei, which delves into the “tangping” phenomenon (young people symbolically “lying down” to reject highly competitive career paths). Movies such as “Upstream” tackle issues related to the gig economy. Directors Yihui Shao and Yin Lichuan offer narratives about gender equality through their films, “Her Story” and “Like a Rolling Stone.

In Japan, the film “Teki Cometh” uses a style reminiscent of David Lynch as it delves into Japan’s aging population predicament. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ “Sunshine” tackles the issue of abortion being criminalized. From Thailand, we have “The Stone,” a first-time feature that explores themes of authenticity and worth through the perspective of the amulet market.

Starting out as a DJ and singer in Taiwan during the 1970s, Chang has since diversified into acting, directing, writing, and producing. At the upcoming festival, she’ll showcase her family drama “Daughter’s Daughter.” Additionally, audiences can see her in Tsui Hark’s restored masterpiece “Shanghai Blues.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the Restored Classics section is brimming with remarkable gems! This year, we have the European premiere of “Barking Dogs Never Bite,” the directorial debut of the esteemed Oscar winner Bong Joon Ho. Additionally, we have “Bona” by Lino Brocka, a powerful Filipino drama, and Johnnie To’s masterwork “PTU.”

Moreover, in a delightful collaboration, we’re renewing our partnership with the Taipei Archive (Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute) to pay tribute to the renowned director Pai Ching-jui. This tribute will showcase three of his films, as he was a student at Italy’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome in 1961, where he deeply immersed himself in Italian cinema and neorealism.

The upcoming festival’s special showcase, “Yokai and Other Monsters: From Mythology to Screen,” will display a collection of 12 films highlighting strange and unsettling beings from various Asian folklore, ranging from Japanese yokai to the Mananang-gal of the Philippines.

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At the upcoming festival, the retrospective “Yokai and Other Monsters: From Folklore to Film” will display 12 films showcasing bizarre and disturbing creatures drawn from Asian mythologies, including Japanese yokai and the Philippines’ Mananang-gal.

As a cinephile excitedly counting down to FEFF 27, I can’t help but share my anticipation for the cultural extravaganza that awaits us! Apart from the captivating movie screenings, this year’s festival will offer an enriching program filled with events. One noteworthy highlight is the very first Italian anthological exhibition of the legendary manga creator Shigeru Mizuki, to be held at Udine’s Casa Cavazzini Museum. The exhibit, titled “Mondo Mizuki, Mondo Yokai,” will display an incredible collection of 100 original artworks, many of which will be making their debut outside Japan for the first time! So, fellow movie lovers, let’s immerse ourselves in the unique blend of art and storytelling that FEFF 27 and “Mondo Mizuki, Mondo Yokai” have prepared for us!

The expansion of activities within the Industry is ongoing, especially with Focus Asia entering its tenth round. This event’s market sector will host approximately 200 professionals from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Italy’s Ministry of Culture (MiC) has confirmed their main support for this event, alongside partnership from the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes.

Under the banner of public amusement, FEFF plans to metamorphose Udine into a vibrant hub, hosting more than 100 events. These activities encompass a Far East market, a K-Pop competition, a Cosplay contest, and numerous parties. Among these gatherings, the Pink Night stands out, featuring the renowned Taiwanese artist Betty Apple.

The final installment of the 27th version is “Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie,” an action-packed film based on a well-loved comic strip.

The Far East Film Festival runs April 24 to May 2.

Competing Films:
“Clash” by Jiang Jiachen in 2024 (China)
“Decoded” by Chen Sicheng in 2024 (China)
“Deep in the Mountain” by Li Yongyi in 2025 (China)
“Green Wave” by Xu Lei in 2024 (China)
“Her Story” by Shao Yihui in 2024 (China)
“Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” by Tsui Hark in 2025 (China)
“Like a Rolling Stone” by Yin Lichuan in 2024 (China)
“My Friend An Delie” by Dong Zijian in 2024 (China)
“Successor” by Peng Damo & Yan Fei in 2024 (China)
“Upstream” by Xu Zheng in 2024 (China)

Titles for upcoming novels set in Hong Kong in the years 2024 and 2025:
– “Autumn’s Aftermath” by Anthony Pun
– “Swan Song – Expanded Edition” by Anselm Chan
– “Lullaby for Tomorrow” by Jill Leung
– “Modern Motherhood Mosaics” by Oliver Chan
– “Paternal Tales” by Philip Yung
– “The Lawbringer” by Donnie Yen
– “Dialogues of Our Time” by Adam Wong

“Angry Squad” by Ueda Shinichiro: “The Angry Group” or “The Irate Cohort” (both suggest the same theme)
– “A Bad Summer” by Jojo Hideo: “An Unfortunate Season” or “A Disappointing Summer”
– “Cells at Work!” by Takeuchi Hideki: “The World Inside Us” or “Microscopic Heroes” (both focus on the story’s setting)
– “Dollhouse” by Yaguchi Shinobu: “Puppet Master” or “Life in Miniature”
– “Good Luck” by Adachi Shin: “Best Wishes” or “Hopeful Beginnings” (both express a positive tone)
– “Lust in the Rain” by Katayama Shinzo: “Desire Under the Rain” or “Yearning Showers”
– “Rewrite” by Matsui Daigo: “Revision” or “Second Chances”
– “See You Tomorrow” by Michimoto Saki: “I’ll Meet You Again” or “Tomorrow’s Encounter”
– “She Taught Me Serendipity” by Ohku Akiko: “She Introduced me to Luck” or “She Showed me Fate”
– “Teki Cometh” by Yoshida Daihachi: “The Enemy Approaches” or “Coming Conflict” (both emphasize the central conflict)
– “Welcome to the Village” by Jojo Hideo: “Enter the Hamlet” or “Arrival in the Community” (both suggest a new beginning in a small town or village)


“Next Stop, Somewhere” by James Lee, Jeremiah Foo, Malaysia 2025

As a cinephile, I’m excited about two upcoming films: “Silent City Driver,” directed by Janchivdorj Sengedorj from Mongolia in 2024, and “Diamonds in the Sand” by Janus Victoria, a collaboration between the Philippines, Japan, and Malaysia, also set for release in 2025. Additionally, I can’t wait to see “Sunshine,” directed by Antoinette Jadaone from the Philippines, coming out in 2024 as well. These films promise unique stories and perspectives that I can’t wait to explore!

1. “Family Matters” by Yang Woo-seok, South Korea 2024 (instead of “About Family”)
2. “Nuns in Darkness” by Kwon Hyuk-jae, South Korea 2025 (instead of “Dark Nuns”)
3. “Tainted Cash” by Kim Min-Soo, South Korea 2024 (instead of “Dirty Money”)
4. “Listen to Us: Our Summer” by Jo Seon-Ho, South Korea 2024 (instead of “Hear Me: Our Summer”)
5. “Tranquil Homeland” by Park Ri-woong, South Korea 2024 (instead of “The Land of Morning Calm”)
6. “Love in the Urban Jungle” by E. oni, South Korea 2024 (instead of “Love in the Big City”)
7. “First Flight” by Kim Han-kyul, South Korea 2024 (instead of “Pilot”)
8. “Urban Conflict” by Kim Bo-sol, South Korea 2025 (instead of “The Square”)

1. “Daughter’s Daughter” by Huang Xi, Taiwan 2024 – “Granddaughter, Granddaughter” by Huang Xi, Taiwan 2024 (emphasizing the relationship between two generations of daughters)
2. “Family Matters” by Pan Ke-yin, Taiwan 2025 – “Domestic Affairs” by Pan Ke-yin, Taiwan 2025 or “Home Ties” by Pan Ke-yin, Taiwan 2025 (suggesting the focus on family dynamics)
3. “Gatao: Like Father Like Son” by Yao Hung-i, Ray Jiang, Taiwan 2024 – “A Gatao Legacy” by Yao Hung-i, Ray Jiang, Taiwan 2024 or “Son of Gatao” by Yao Hung-i, Ray Jiang, Taiwan 2024 (highlighting the connection between a father and his son)
4. “Organ Child” by Chieh Shueh Bin, Taiwan 2025 – “Transplant Recipient” by Chieh Shueh Bin, Taiwan 2025 or “Gift of Life” by Chieh Shueh Bin, Taiwan 2025 (suggesting the movie’s focus on organ transplants and their impact)
5. “The Uniform” by Chuang Ching-shen, Taiwan 2024 – “Uniform Code” by Chuang Ching-shen, Taiwan 2024 or “Military Dress” by Chuang Ching-shen, Taiwan 2024 (emphasizing the role of uniforms in the story)

Echoes of the Grave 2″
– Explanation:

“Mysteries of the Rock”
– Explanation:

“Betting with Ghost” by Nguyen Nhat Trung, Vietnam 2024

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2025-04-02 17:18