The Best Films From Taiwan

Feature debut by notable film critic Wang Wei. The film takes Taipei’s trendy Ximending district, best known for its mix of alternative lifestyles, youth fashion and the antimony of adolescent life, and provides an upbeat story of damaged young people finding their purpose in life. The film’s upbeat tone may appeal to some, but the complexity of the background is obliterated by rom-com stereotypes.

Westgate Tango (2012)

On Mother's Day in Taipei, Chen Mo makes a date for dinner with his wife, hoping to bring their estranged relationship back together. While buying a cake on his way home, a car unexpectedly double parks next to his car, preventing his exit.

Parking (2008)

A young police officer "makes a mess" of a police operation, shoots a man in self-defense, and ends up in prison. There he learns that the world isn't black and white, but has many shades of gray, and makes new friends and enemies.

Jail in Burning Island (1997)

Eight people try to end their loneliness by searching for that one person to love, who can make their life complete.

Love (2012)

In 2013, the Golden Horse Film Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary. The ministry of Culture commissioned director Yang Li-chou to make a documentary about the history of Golden Horse. What is unique to this film is that it's not an ode to celebrities but about the role cinema plays in ordinary people's lives. It's a love letter to cinema, filmmakers and audiences.

The Moment: Fifty Years of Golden Horse (2016)

Wise, reflective and bittersweet, director/actor Sylvia Chang's Taipei-set triptych weaves through the lives of a 40-year-old divorcée (Chang), a thirtysomething flight attendant (Rene Liu) and an aspiring pop singer (Angelica Lee). Co-written by the three principals, the script's meditations on love, friendship and life choices are as thoughtful and intriguing as the performances are unforced.

20 30 40 (2004)

Pin, Pai Pin Pin, KK, and Elly are four friends who are trying to get through the program together at a South Korean academy for training policewomen, run by a strict and cruel Madam Cheung. All of them graduate with honors except for KK, who disgraces her family by not graduating at all. When her father is brutally murdered by a mystery man with a tiger tattoo, KK vows to make it through the training program and become a real policewoman.

Supercop.com (2000)

Someone in a prison run by a corrupt warden fakes the deaths of convicts to later use them as expendable assassins. A police officer is sent into the prison to gather evidence of the corruption.

Island of Fire (1990)

As the daughter of the Chinese police chief, Angela secretly dresses up as a man to use her kung fu on Japanese troublemakers.

Duel with the Devils (1977)

Road Less Traveled is a Taiwan Drama starring Sammo Hung

Road Less Traveled (2011)

Pang, Paul Wong, Sam Wong and few young men are outstanding in Taekwondo. They are selected by the nation to live in contestant village for training. All the young men have different backgrounds, they are energetic and like to play all the time, and they always play tricks with the female swimming team, and cause many incidents. Their competition is coming, they have to face South Korean team in a Taekwondo competition, all of them are excited and think they must win...

Promising Young Boy (1987)

King Swindler is a Taiwan Comedy starring Sammo Hung

King Swindler (1993)