The Taipei International Labor Film Festival 2023 began its formal run. The director of "Divine Factory," the film that opens, Joseph Mangat, was also invited to the opening ceremony. He declared his intense interest in the work environment in Taiwan. He wishes to see subjects about Taiwan's migrant workers, particularly the experience of Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan, if there is a chance in the future.
“Divine Factory”Photo reproduced from Swallow Wings Films Facebook
The film "Divine Factory" chronicles the life of laborers at a Manila "god-making factory." There are many of LGBTQ people among them. Despite the church's rejection of their love and marriage, they continue to worship to gods and create sculptures of Catholic saints. Regarding this, director Joseph Mangat stated that despite the Philippines' Catholic heritage, the populace is accepting of the LGBTQ population and kind, but the government does not adequately safeguard them. The paradox that the movie seeks to draw attention to is that he thinks the church has a big say in what laws are passed by the government.
Multiple films from the viewpoint of labor and migrant workers are featured in Taipei International Labor Film Festival.Photo provided by Department of Labor, Taipei City Government
According to the director (高寶華) of Taipei City Government's Department of Labor, this year's film festival enables viewers to witness the connection between the influence of religion on laborers, the professionalism of blue-collar grassroots workers and the risks of workplace bullying and safety, and expand a considerate viewpoint on migrant workers' predicament, the right of workers to assemble, corporate social responsibility, and how the government handles problems with the migrant worker system.
