Formosa Betrayed

I had to hang with the film for a while before it started to pay off. Until then, it sort of felt like a well-funded political action thriller directed and constructed somewhat less than professionally.

In the end, you could do worse if you dig political action. But lapses in narrative work and character development prevent me from calling this a truly fine film.

I live in Taiwan. I have to say that the film rather does succeed in putting some faces and blood and sweat and tears behind the bits of history that I've learned since I came here.

If you're thinking of renting it, I'd recommend at least a quick peruse of some online materials related to Taiwan in the post-War period, up to the time depicted (the '80s).

Saw this film at the Montreal Film Festival. I think it's one of the best political thrillers I've seen in many years. Did not know much about the history of Taiwan, but the film brought me back to the early 80s with it's Cold War references. The cinematography was excellent and you felt the film was epic in scope.

Was particularly impressed by the performances. James Van Der Beek makes a starring turn as FBI Agent Jake Kelly. He does a great job carrying the film. Wendy Crewson and John Heard remind me of many bureaucrats I've met over the years. Will Tiao gives a heartbreaking performance as Ming, the waiter/dissident. What happens to his character is so devastating it made me cry. Reminds me of Haing Ngor's performance in "The Killing Fields." The rest of the supporting cast is outstanding.

In fact, this movie reminded me a lot of "The Killing Fields" which I think this movie is for Taiwan as that movie was for Cambodia. Definitely a must see film if you love political thrillers.

Its not hard to understand why some people took the movie as offensive. Although not a documentary, the movie has events that actually occurred in Taiwan's recent history. Those brought up under KMT's propaganda can't believe such capable government can do such nasty things behind people's back. :D

There are so basic facts about the movie.

1. Not a documentary: Inspired by actual events, but not actual events. 2. For non-Taiwanese audiences: Or those not-familiar with Taiwan and her background. This "Free China" was backed by the US to fight communists but at the expense of severely restricting human rights in Taiwan. 3. Not actual scenes: Unfortunately, due to funding and the political situation in Taiwan, the set needs to be filmed elsewhere than Taiwan.

This movie is a must-see for those who wants to know more about Taiwan and even for those who knows nothing about Taiwan and wants to know the island that makes everything in the 70s and 80s. People who calls it a propaganda is probably afraid of viewers will become interested and search for more info on the background of Taiwan, especially those times under the rule of KMT. Human rights and justice are universal common values, however, the Taiwanese people was not able to enjoy such.

1) Kaohsiung Incident (1979) - A demonstration led by Formosa Magazine staff resulted in the Martial Law arrest of dozens of dissidents.

2) Lin Family Massacre (1980) - A grim murder of the 7 years old twin girls and their 70 years old grandma in their house then under 24-hour surveillance by the Garrison Command (Taiwan secret police). The day before her murder, the grandma had managed to reach out the international human right organizations about the brutal treatment received by her son in jail. Her son Lin Yi-Hsiung was among the Kaohsiung Incident dissidents arrested.

3) The Murder of Chen Wen-Chen (1981) - Carnegie Mellon University professor Chen Wen-Chen, while visiting Taiwan, was interrogated by the Garrison Command agents two days in a roll. He never returned home. Dr. Chen had been an active Taiwan independence advocate.

4) The Assassination of Henry Liu (1984) - California resident and Journalist Henry Liu was killed in his garage by mafia killers sent overseas by the Taiwan Garrison Command (the secret police head was later sentenced to life by Taiwan authority). Liu had just released a book about the reigning president Chiang Jing-Guo, son and successor of Chiang Kai-Shek.

Hey Crapone! You should see the movie for yourself instead of making things out from the internet! Obviously you haven't read Formosa Betrayed book either.

Uganda Genocide, Armenian Genocide, Tibetan Genocide, Darfur Genocide, Muslim Uyghur Turks Genocide... The truth will always prevail. When people learn to admit the truth, then we can all forgive and move on.

Movies have a way of teaching us the truth in people and this movie should be recognized for it's excellence in story, acting, filming and for showing the truth.

Thank you for putting your money, time and effort in making this film!

Peace to all : ) ... even for all you haters out there!