Film, one of the great innovations of the twentieth century is a treasure that should be cared for and preserved for posterity. Not only are movies to be cherished for their entertainment and art value, they are living records of our culture and history. If damaged or allowed to deteriorate, they are lost to us forever.

Previously, the concept of film preservation and collection was not widely promoted in the Republic of China. Today, however, due to the efforts of the Republic of China Film Development Foundation there is a Film Library which serves such a worthwhile purpose.

Founded in 1978, the library first opened its doors to the public in January of 1979. The two important goals of the library are: to preserve film and film culture, and through this effort subsequently help raise the level of film and film perception in the Republic of China.

In order to offer the best of services there is a limited membership to the library. The membership is divided into two different groupings: the first is the A group which consists of film students (university or technical college), people working in the film industry and those persons who have an interest in film. These latter candidates must have an example of this film interest--ie. a short film that they have made, or some other similarly related film project. Membership fees vary according to status, ie. the student fee is US$30 per year, while the nonstudent rate is US$38 per year.

The B group of members is composed of persons from the general public, and rates once again correspond to status: students pay US$25, and others US$28.

Membership entitles participants to partake in the library-sponsored activities. These include the usual functions such as access to borrowing library materials like books, magazines and videos. Secondly, members can also take part in the film appreciation projects sponsored by the center. These use two formats: a regular movie presentation and two film festivals.

The regular film appreciation segment initially was subject to the meagre collection of the center. Today, however, the vast collection ensures some structure to film viewings. Films are shown according to either a school style, ie. a series of films in the realism style may be shown, etc. Another regular film format is scheduled showings of a specific director's work, such as a Truffaut retrospective. These regular schedulings are usually shown for two days, with a total of six showings. The library also offers four monthly screenings of French films, secured through the cooperation of the French Technical Center.

The two film festivals sponsored by the library are: the Golden Horse International Film Festival which is held in October of each year, and a more recent spring film festival that originally screened French films but this year switched to a more international flavor by showing film classics from many nations. The movies presented in the Golden Horse Festival are recent award-winning films, or films that have earned the attention and praise of international critics.

Film preservation is the other major aspect of the library's functions. This includes the collection and storing of both Chinese and international films. Outstanding representative Chinese films are anxiously sought out to help establish a body of work that can be used for future reference. A substantial collection of Chinese films from the 1960s and 1970s has already been amassed but staff members have encountered tremendous difficulty collecting older films. Of the films that have survived, many have deteriorated beyond repair. The library, however, has not stopped in this pursuit, and in fact has begun to look abroad to Hong Kong, Singapore and France for any existing copies of these Chinese film classics. The present library stock contains 600 films, 900 videos, 5,000 books and 20 regular film periodicals.

There are really two general groupings of members--those who go to the library to learn, and those who contribute to the library's development. Among those classified as students are people involved in the domestic broadcast and film industry, local writers, playwrites, performers and students of film. Contributers are those young people who have returned from film studies abroad as well as domestic film critics, directors, editors and others involved in the professional filmmaking industry. They can exchange valuable ideas and suggestions on a wide range of film-related topics. Their knowledge of the latest trends in foreign films, suggestions and comparisons of the domestic and foreign film industry all contribute to the enrichment of the film library. They help to solidify the structure of the center and give it a definite direction for future development, as well as structure the center's activities--for instance, they write up simple introduction pieces to the films shown, then help in leading post-film discussions. Domestic film experts have been instrumental in the inclusion of more local Chinese films on the library's program list. This includes the work of new directors and the screening of promising films that did not fare so well at the general box office.

The library is headed by director Hsu Li-kung and a staff of 11 dedicated workers. Being the only institution of its kind on the island, the staff is overloaded with duties and is subject to constant suggestions and criticisms from the general public. There are those who write in suggesting the center screen more entertaining films, others who feel that experimental works by interested film-makers be shown and still others who encourage the center to distribute and handle film books written by domestic film experts.

All suggestions are considered-- but the critical problem of limited space greatly affects progress. There are plans presently to move and expand the library into a National Film Arts Center but not all the details have been worked out. In regard to this plan, director Hsu has gone abroad to research and visit similar institutions in Europe and North America. While there are still certain aspects that the domestic institution may not be able to cope with these must be studied and understood in order to use for the future when a complete film arts institute can carry on the tradition established by the present film library.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

The Film Library's storage room is filled with copies of excellent films.

1. The announcement board along the walls of the long corridors is crowded with posters announcing each month's scheduled movie showings. 2. The library has 11 employees on staff. Pictured is the Film Library director, Hsu Li-kung. 3. Each session of the library-sponsored international film festivals attracts crowds of people. Those not fortunate enough to obtain tickets can only linger over the films' promotional photos.

1. Several young students of film provide work study services for the library in return for the right to watch films. 2. Every film is worth seeing. When buying advanced tickets, students hope they have enough money.

While the domestic market rarely shows European films, the "Golden Horse International Film Festival" offers a host of acclaimed European films. Among the offerings at this year's festival: "Jon", a film from Finland, the Swedish master Ingmar Bergman's "The Magician", and the French-Mexican co-production "Antonietta".

1. The announcement board along the walls of the long corridors is crowded with posters announcing each month's scheduled movie showings.

2. The library has 11 employees on staff. Pictured is the Film Library director, Hsu Li-kung.

3. Each session of the library-sponsored international film festivals attracts crowds of people. Those not fortunate enough to obtain tickets can only linger over the films' promotional photos.

1. Several young students of film provide work study services for the library in return for the right to watch films.

2. Every film is worth seeing. When buying advanced tickets, students hope they have enough money.

While the domestic market rarely shows European films, the "Golden Horse International Film Festival" offers a host of acclaimed European films.

Among the offerings at this year's festival: "Jon", a film from Finland, the Swedish master Ingmar Bergman's "The Magician", and the French-Mexican co-production "Antonietta".

Among the offerings at this year's festival: "Jon", a film from Finland, the Swedish master Ingmar Bergman's "The Magician", and the French-Mexican co-production "Antonietta".