In a recent interview, Taiwanese director Chen Yih-yung opened up about her experiences at the Vancouver International Film Festival, where she participated as both a juror and presenter. Fluent in French, Chen unexpectedly became one of the event’s highlights, a fitting role in a festival that embraces both English and French, Canada’s official languages. Festival programming director Curtis Woloschuk expressed his enthusiasm for having Chen represent the French-speaking dimension, underscoring the festival’s commitment to diversity in film.
Chen remarked on Canada’s multicultural landscape, applauding the diverse international perspectives reflected in Canadian filmmaking, a quality she believes Taiwanese filmmakers should strive to emulate. With her extensive background in documentary filmmaking and her recent shift to VR and narrative projects, Chen brought a profound understanding of cross-cultural storytelling to her festival involvement. She cherished the chance to engage with filmmakers from around the globe.
Tasked with judging the Horizon Award, which honors emerging directors in Canadian feature films, Chen collaborated with two fellow jurors. She was impressed by the unique qualities of the twelve films they reviewed, ultimately leading them to unanimously select “Mongrels” as the winner. “This film tells the poignant story of a Korean immigrant family, centering on a father who traps stray dogs. It beautifully captures the struggles faced by first-generation immigrants and the conflicts between parents and children, all while employing surreal and poetic storytelling that truly surprised me,” she shared.
When reflecting on the themes prevalent in Taiwanese cinema, Chen noted that it often centers around the individual and societal issues, typically lacking a broader global perspective. In contrast, she pointed out that Canadian films are deeply rooted in personal experiences, all while encompassing rich worldviews. “This likely comes from Canada’s diverse society. I hope Taiwan can promote localized storytelling while also expanding its cultural horizons,” she stated.
As she discussed Canadian film festivals, Chen acknowledged that while the Toronto International Film Festival is the most famous, the Vancouver festival is more akin to Taipei’s, as it celebrates independent and non-mainstream works, revealing numerous hidden gems.
Clad in modest attire, Chen herself became a standout figure at the Vancouver festival. Not only is her filmmaking talent well recognized, but her fluent French also earned her accolades from local attendees. Although French is one of Canada’s two official languages, it’s less commonly spoken on the West Coast, making Chen’s proficiency particularly notable and enhancing the experience of the jury and award presentations.
Curtis Woloschuk praised Chen’s contributions, stating, “We’re thrilled to have Yih-yung here helping us elevate the event by presenting awards in French.”
Chen, in response, humbly expressed her excitement. “It’s an honor to have this opportunity. In Taiwan, I don’t often get the chance to showcase my French skills!” She also shared that presenting awards made her more nervous than the times she had won them herself.
Looking ahead, Chen’s upcoming film “Granny Must Die,” her first narrative feature, is set to make its world premiere at the Kaohsiung Film Festival on October 26. This absurdist black comedy features a large ensemble cast, including Golden Bell Award winner Yang Li-yin, Mini-Series/TV Movie Actor Award winner Lan Wei-hua, Golden Horse Award winner Chang Shih-ying, and rising star Lin Si-ting.
