The news of producer Lee Lieh’s resignation as Chair of the Taipei Film Festival (TFF) has brought regret to many in the film and cultural community, though we are not particularly surprised. In her resignation statement, Lee expressed that the spirit of the TFF—which for 17 years has insisted on encouraging diverse, independent artistic creation and curatorial integrity—will vanish under the policy of current Cultural Affairs Bureau Commissioner Ni Chung-hua, who insists on seeking “uniqueness” through commercialization.
As TFF advisory committee members, we have already felt the impact of Commissioner Ni’s so-called “cultural” policy for film. However, we were still left in shock by media reports (China Times) stating that the Cultural Affairs Bureau intends to use the criticized commercial operations of the “Taoyuan Film Festival” as a model for TFF to follow. Furthermore, Commissioner Ni has bluntly asserted that “the selection and curation of film festival programmers are not important; just show past box-office hits,” and that the festival should serve city policies or the upcoming Universiade.
Regarding Commissioner Ni’s film policy and administrative style, we hold the following views:
1️⃣ Opposing Commercialization, Upholding Uniqueness
Inheriting the spirit of the “China Times Express Film Awards” in encouraging rising talent and independent creation, the TFF and the Taipei Film Awards have established a well-recognized uniqueness over the past 17 years. It has provided rich, diverse artistic nourishment for Republic of China (R.O.C.) filmmakers and Taipei audiences alike, serving as a vital platform for mutual support, competition, and a gateway to international festivals and markets. To discard these precious cumulative achievements and insist on degrading the TFF into a featureless movie “trade show” and sales platform is a vision of “uniqueness” we find incomprehensible and firmly oppose.
2️⃣ Artistry and Technicality Are Not Mutually Exclusive
We do not oppose the commercial nature of cinema or its value in popular culture, nor do we discourage the TFF from cultivating technical talent. However, artistic merit and commercial value are not inherently contradictory concepts. There is no need to extinguish the spirit of independent creation or artistic ambition to boost the commercial market. Furthermore, Commissioner Ni constantly emphasizes the importance of professional “technicians” as if technology were a singular concept. Many works that have shone at the TFF over the years had limited technical investment but were widely acclaimed internationally for their creativity, artistry, and depth. Bi Gan, the 26-year-old director who won the Golden Horse for Best New Director this year with Kaili Blues, is the latest proof that a good film does not necessarily require the technical concepts of a massive film industry. Even the mainstream Golden Horse Awards encourage artistic creation; for Commissioner Ni to insist that the TFF “castrate” its own strengths is utterly absurd.
3️⃣ Criticizing Ni’s Administrative Style and Calling for Mayoral Evaluation
One of the many controversies surrounding Commissioner Ni since he took office is his disregard for cultural significance and his headstrong, uncommunicative style. How can an obstinate Cultural Bureau Commissioner allow the philosophy and practice of cultural diversity to continue? In 17 years, Taipei City has never had a Cultural Bureau Commissioner who interfered with the cultural direction and autonomy of the TFF in such an arbitrary, almost brutal manner. Commissioner Ni may be a successful business owner, but cultural affairs cannot be treated this way. We remind Mayor Ko Wen-je that he must seriously evaluate whether this Commissioner—whose appointment was controversial from the start—possesses the cultural vision and administrative methods suitable for this position, lest it invite further political storms.
This collective statement is co-signed by two groups: five current members of the Taipei Film Festival Advisory Committee and a group of frontline film professionals. The five advisory members also announce their collective resignation from their positions on the TFF Advisory Committee. We will stand outside and continue to monitor this indispensable cultural mechanism and its fine traditions with even greater scrutiny.
TFF Advisory Committee Members: Liao Ching-sung, Yeh Ju-fen, Tseng Wen-chen, Chen Ru-shou, Guo Li-xin
Film Professionals: Wang Hsiao-di (Director), Chu Yen-ping (Director), Yee Chih-yen (Director), Chen Yu-hsun (Director), Hung Hung (Director), Chang Feng-mei (Producer), Lee Ya-hwa (Producer), Chen Pao-hsu (Producer), Tu Hsiang-wen (Film Critic), Huang Jiang-feng (Producer), Yao Hung-i (Director/Cinematographer), Huang Mei-ching (Art Director)