Golden Horse Film Festival Sets Double Opening With ‘Snow in Midsummer’ and ‘Be With Me’
30.08.2023 - 07:11
/ variety.com
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival has announced dual opening night titles, both inspired by faith and local memories, as well as its closing gala presentation. The festival will open with “Snow in Midsummer,” directed by Chong Keat-aun, a former winner of the Golden Horse Film Awards’ best new director prize with “The Story of Southern Islet,” and “Be With Me,” by Hwarng Wern-ying, who previously won Golden Horse prizes for art direction, costume and makeup. The festival, which runs Nov.
9-26, will close with the world premiere of “Tales of Taipei,” produced by Bowie Tsang and comprising ten stories by directors from East Asia. The two opening films were both part of the 2020 Golden Horse Project Promotion, a project matching event. They both have their Asian premiere at the festival.
“Snow in Midsummer” is a story spanning nearly half a century about two generations of females, a troupe master and the Nyonya offspring, in the background of the 13 May Incident in Malaysia, interweaving mythical beliefs and street opera into a historical fable. “[It] is a story unveiling historical scar, and [is] a collaboration between Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore,” said Chong. It stars Pearlly Chua, Wan Fang and Rexen Cheng.
“Be With Me” depicts a woman stumbling in her love life, career and with her family. She returns home to take care of her father and recalls her childhood with her grandfather. Through three generations and a hundred-year history, she eventually finds her own belief in life and love.
The film is executive produced by Hou Hsiao-hsien and stars Ariel Lin, along with Vic Chou, Ethan Juan and Chang Hsiao-chuan. “Memory and yearning are the creative source for this film. Xuantian
.