Cape No 7

One way to better understand Taiwan is through the lens of movie directors. TAIWANfest is introducing a few highly acclaimed movies from Taiwan into our programming. These movies depict journeys people take on to realize their dreams. Along the way, they fell, they learned, they fought but they also had fun and never gave up.

The feature film, "Cape No. 7" depicts a story interconnected by an undelivered love letter 60 years ago when the Japanese Colonial Period ended; all the Japanese in Taiwan had to be extradited to Japan. It marks the end of an era, leaving not only regrets and hatred, but friendship, affection and love. A Japanese fall in love with a local Taiwanese girl. When they could finally be together, they were forced to be separated by the ending of the war and he wrote her love letters, undelivered. After 60 years or so, almost everything has changed in Taiwan. While people are striving for their lives, seven ordinary persons courageously realize their own dreams for music, home, and love.

Variety magazine commended “… It’s a celebration of all things Taiwanese…” The movie achieved Taipei box-office only second to Titanic. It has caught international attention and was official Taiwanese selection for 81st Academy awards. The movie went on to win many international awards including Hawaiian International Film Festival and the director won the Edward Yang new talent award in 3rd Asian film awards.

A Behind the Scene Story

If you have never been to Ken-ting, you have never really lived in Taiwan; if you have never watched Cape No. 7, you have never really seen a Taiwanese movie. Cape No. 7 represents Taiwanese culture, containing Taiwanese kids, Taiwanese music, and Taiwanese … From the movie, people realized there is no need for Taiwanese to feel inferior, as they should have found the forgotten sunshine in the small town of Hengchun. Director Wei De-sheng has successfully helped Taiwanese to regain self-confidence. If there is a need for the life to have a grand beginning, and new hope, experiencing Cape No. 7 might just be the answer!