Central Motion Pictures Re-releases Six Restored Classic Chinese-language Films; Plans to Film Two New Films – "Pick Youth" and " Somersault Punk "
Central Motion Pictures Co. played an instrumental role decades ago in the promotion of cinema in Taiwan. Under the leadership of the company's new chairman Kuo Tai-chiang, Central Motion Pictures has undertaken a series of actions to regain its prominence. Last year, it stored over 900 films in the Chinese Taipei Film Archive. Meanwhile, this year it is restoring and is re-releasing six classic Chinese-language films – "Dust in the Wind," "The Terrorizers," "Vive L'Amour," "Tropical Fever," "Eat Drink Man Woman," and "The Personals." Digitally enhanced versions of the films will be making their way back to the big screen. Central Motion Pictures is also investing in "Seediq Bale" and "Dangerous Mind," two films that are receiving government financing. When making the announcement, Kuo remarked that since its establishment, Central Motion Pictures has made over 200 feature films. He said that the tears and the sweat that have been experienced in the past five decades on Taiwan can be seen in these movies. Consequently, he said, these movies are quite precious. Kuo said that making movies remains the focus of Central Motion Pictures. The technology and experiences that the company has accumulated over the decades are invaluable within Taiwan's movie industry, he said. In an effort to pass along its experience, the company this year has decided to lend aid to two films that are receiving government assistance, helping in the completion of their production. In a surprise announcement, Kuo announced that Central Motion Pictures is providing financing to director Wei Te-sheng to help him complete his current project "Seediq Bale." Kuo said he hopes that Central Motion Pictures can serve as a catalyst in the industry, encouraging even more people to support locally made films. The announcement by Kuo visibly moved Wei, who was in the audience. Government Information Office Motion Picture Affairs Department Director Frank Chen congratulated Central Motion Pictures for jumping back into the fray. Chen said that early this year, the first pool of applications from filmmakers seeking government financing for the making of strategic or feature films was submitted, and the number of applicants soared in comparison with previous years. This indicates that a recovery is unfolding in the local film industry, he said. Chen added that the Executive Yuan has also approved the project to establish the Taiwan Film Culture Center. He furthermore expressed his confidence that restoration of films will continue to be carried out, enabling these cultural assets to be preserved. Over the past five decades, Central Motion Pictures has nurtured quite a few internationally renowned directors and artists, including directors Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Edward Yang, Ang Lee, and Tsai Ming-liang. Central Motion Pictures has already embarked on a project to restore classic Taiwan films, with the first three films restored – "Dust in the Wind," "The Terrorizers," and "Vive L'Amour" – to be screened at the Taipei Film Festival. A spokesperson from Central Motion Pictures stated that the project to restore these classic films requires specialists to digitally scan the original films. In the process of restoring the films, adjustments can be made in the lighting. In addition, post-production audio can also be tweaked. Meanwhile, subtitles are being made available in five languages, namely Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Japanese. Behind the screen interviews with actors and production personnel are being added as well. The restoration of each film costs about NT$1.5 million, and Central Motion Pictures in the future plans to restore 10 films a year. Shooting is just about to start for two new movies --"Pick Youth" and " Somersault Punk." These films are being directed by Tapu Chen and Lin Yu-Hsien, respectively. The production team responsible for Public Television Service's "Dangerous Mind" series, which won a Golden Bell for a TV serial, is making "Pick Youth." Director Yee Chih-yen will serve as executive producer. Meanwhile, Lee Lieh will be the executive producer for " Somersault Punk," which will be an adaptation of the box office success documentary "Jump! Boys." The film is a story of rebellion by the team's coach of when he was young. Both of these films are expected to hit the big screen in 2011.
