The prestigious Golden Horse Film Festival, known for its premier awards in the Chinese-language film industry, has partnered with Cannes’ Marché du Film to present a selection of new films and projects under the Golden Horse Goes to Cannes initiative.
Set to be showcased on May 16, the lineup includes five new films from directors Chen Yu-hsun, Yang Ya-che, Huang Xi, Giddens Ko, and John Hsu. These films feature high-profile producers such as Lee Lieh, Sylvia Chang, Aileen Li, Jeffrey Chan, and Hou Hsiao-Hsien.
Yang Ya-che, famous for his award-winning film The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful and for shaping several actors’ careers, returns with The Chronicles of Libidoists. This film, notable for its erotic take on The Little Mermaid story, kept its cast secret during production due to its scandalous nature. The cast now includes Wu Kang-ren, Will Or, Liu Chu-ping, and Alisia Liang.
Yang shared his inspiration for the film, stating, I often engaged in anonymous online chats on weekends to discuss sex with people of various genders and sexual orientations. Some of their intriguing desires were incorporated into this movie.
Director John Hsu, known for his $8 million box-office hit Detention, is back with the dark comedy Dead Talents Society. This film follows the alliance of two ghosts, one a rookie and the other more experienced, as they strive to become the scariest spirits.
Sony Pictures is a significant investor in the project. Hsu expressed his preference for the creative freedom and comedic elements of this film compared to his previous success with Detention.
Novelist-turned-filmmaker Giddens Ko, who gained fame with his 2011 debut You Are the Apple of My Eye, presents Kung Fu. This modern adventure film stars Leon Dai, Kai Ko, and Berant Zhu and follows two high school underdogs learning kung fu from a mysterious mentor. Ko highlighted the challenges of shooting action sequences and his anticipation for the special effects and post-production work.
In A Foggy Tale, director Chen Yu-hsun, known for My Missing Valentine, delivers a poignant drama about a young girl who embarks on a perilous journey 70 years ago to retrieve her family’s remains.
The cast includes Golden Horse Award winner Caitlin Fang, nominee Will Or, and musician-turned-actress 9m88. Chen reflected on his curiosity about the lives of past generations and the tragic events of the White Terror period, expressing empathy for the victims and their families.
'The Chronicles of Libidoists,' 'A Foggy Tale' Among Golden Horse Goes to Cannes Showcase https://t.co/1yQJIiols4
— Variety (@Variety) May 15, 2024
Sylvia Chang, Taipei’s renowned actor and producer, teams up again with director Huang Xi after their collaboration on the HBO series Twisted Strings. Their new film, Daughter’s Daughter, explores mother-daughter relationships and in-vitro fertilization from a strongly female perspective.
Huang emphasized the complexities of IVF and its relevance to a broader population, especially in the context of Taiwan’s journey toward legalizing same-sex marriage.
The Golden Horse Goes to Cannes event is supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, under the 1plus4—T-content plan, the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee, and the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development. Source
