Taiwanese films once again showcased their exceptional strength at the New York Asian Film Festival. This year, three Taiwanese films, "Nightmare of Love," "Xiao Xiao," and "Snow in May," were nominated for the Best Feature Film Award in the Breakthrough Visions category. These three works, with their unique perspectives and stories, drew significant attention. Ultimately, "Snow in May" stood out at the closing ceremony and won the Best Feature Film Award.
Director Zhang Jiaan, upon receiving the award, shared that "Snow in May" had 27 scenes that needed to be edited or covered due to sensitive content when it was released in Malaysia. He expressed hope that this award would persuade the Malaysian censorship board to allow the future release of the uncut version, enabling more people to learn the true history. Zhang Jiaan thanked the Taiwan Creative Content Agency, the Singapore Film Commission, and Malaysia’s Triple X Entertainment for their support, which made the completion of this film possible after 14 years of preparation. He dedicated the award to the families of the victims still searching for their loved ones and pledged to continue supporting their quest for truth.
"Nightmare of Love" Stars Hsieh Hsin-ying and Lin Bo-hong (Center) Posing with Director Liao Ming-yi. (Photo / Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture)
"Nightmare of Love" also received favorable reactions at the festival. The screening at New York's SVA Theater sparked significant interest, with a lively Q&A session. Director Liao Mingyi, along with main actors Lin Bo-Hong and Hsieh Ying-Hsuan, shared their experiences at a press conference held by the Taipei Cultural Center in New York. Liao expressed his honor in bringing his film to New York for the first time, appreciating the audience's enthusiasm and unique perspectives. He highlighted that filming with a smartphone lowered the barriers to movie production, allowing more people to participate in filmmaking.
Lin Bo-Hong mentioned that this was his first time attending an international film festival and visiting New York. In "Nightmare of Love," he played a nameless male character, which required displaying a wide range of emotions, posing a significant acting challenge for him. Hsieh Ying-Hsuan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to portray a character completely different from herself and emphasized the importance of constantly challenging herself and trying new roles.
The New York Asian Film Festival is a significant platform for showcasing Asian cinema. This year, 11 Taiwanese feature films and one short film were selected, covering diverse story themes, filming techniques, and international co-productions, demonstrating the diversity and richness of Taiwanese cinema. The presence of directors Wang Dinglin, Jin Jiahua, Liao Mingyi, and actors Hsieh Ying-Hsuan, Lin Bo-Hong, and Cai Fanxi added considerable highlights to the festival. Taiwanese films shone brightly on the international stage, drawing global attention and adding glory to Taiwan's cinema on the world stage.
