Island Etude

The style of this film blurs the line with documentary. The film is centered on a hearing-impaired college student Ming Xiong. Before graduating from school, Ming Xiong decided to tour the island with his bicycle and guitar. Along this journey, he made new friends making their own journeys. He also revisited past memories and experienced contemporary issues of the country and its people. From the scenic and free spirited Pacific Ocean of east coastline of Taiwan to the western coastal highway through the Matsu pilgrimage, he realized his dream and along the journey he grew to know himself better.

Since inception, this movie’s affection for the island and the people has inspired many people in Taiwan to go on biking tour around the island to know this diverse and beautiful country better.  While the saying,”there is something that if you don't do it now, you will never do it for the rest of your life” resonates in many people’s heart. The film was the official representative of Taiwan to the 80th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.