A total of 15 motion pictures from six countries-the United States, Japan, France, Italy, Germany and Kuwait-were presented in the festival. As they were representative art works of these countries, movie fans packed the New World Theater where they were being shown.
Japanese films attracted the most attention, however, not only because they have not been shown in Taiwan for more than 10 years, but also because the Japanese film industry has reached high international standards. Moviegoers began to line up outside theaters several hours before shows opened.
Four Japanese films- "The Castle of Sand" produced by Shochiku Co. in 1974, "Sandakan No. 8" by Toho Co. in 1974, "Port Arthur" by Toei Co. in 1980, and "Sunny Note" by Nikkapsu in 1977-which won awards in international film festivals, were shown.
Maximillian Schell is the director, screenplay writer and actor of the 1973 German film "Der Fussganger," or "The Pedestrian." Two other German films shown were "Effi Briest," directed and written by Rainer Werner Fassbinder in 1974, and "Die Wildente" or the "Wild Duck" directed and written by Hans W. Geissendorfer after the play by Henrik Ibsen.
The only Italian film to be presented in the festival was: "Prova D'orchestra," directed and written by Federico Fellini in 1978. "Police Python 357" is a 1976 art work by French master Alain Corneau; and "The Wedding of Zein" is the 1977 work of Kuwait director Khalid Siddik.
The U.S. exhibits include "The Black Stallion" by Carroll Ballard in 1979, "Gloria" by John Cassavetes in 1980, "Fame" by Alan Parker in 1980, and "Promises in the Dark" by Jerome Hellman in 1979.
Through the festival, moviegoers were able to enjoy the latest offerings in foreign filmmaking. Local moviemakers were also broadened their outlook and absorbed foreign ideas and techniques, which will help them raise the quality of Mandarin films.
The organizers were greatly encouraged by the warm response from the public. To further enhance the Golden Horse Awards ceremony toward international status, the GIO has decided to enlarge its scope again next year. Besides increasing the number of foreign films shown, noted directors from all over the world will be invited to give speeches. It is hoped that the Taipei Film festival will one day take its place alongside the Cannes and other leading world film festivals.
[Picture Caption]
Left: "Prova D'orchestra," directed and written by Federico Fellini. Above: "Die Wildente" or the "Wild Duck" is a film presentation from West Germany.
1. Gloria (U.S.) 2. Fame (U.S.) 3. Der Fussganger (West Germany) 4. Port Arthur (Japan) 5. The Castle of Sand (Japan) 6. The Wedding of Zein (Kuwait).
Die Wildente" or the "Wild Duck" is a film presentation from West Germany.
Der Fussganger (West Germany)
The Castle of Sand (Japan)
The Wedding of Zein (Kuwait).