時光台灣：流離島影

Liuqiu, a tiny island on the outskirt of the Taiwan Strait, which means ‘floating ball’. Surrounded by more floating balls—’hotels-on-the-sea’ where Chinese fishermen stay. The film depict fate, humanity and destiny of these floating balls.  

Structured around a dancer's routine, the film unfolds in four stages: hope, fear, anger, and longing for stability. It interweaves these emotions with those of locals of Matsu, the military, and first-time-visiting photographers from Taiwan island.  

'Perhaps out of a reactionary mood, I told myself not to film historical tragedies or emphasise soldiers and war. Instead, I wondered if there were stories of the people of Matsu. Thus, chasing after the figure of a dancer, I embarked on the exploration of Matsu.' – CHEIN Wei-ssu

The film was shot in two periods. Initially, during Kuo's visit to Ching-wen rebuilding his parents' home, unplanned as a documentary. Later, funding came, but Ching-wen left for Taipei. Kuo returned to Orchid Island, capturing memories of Ching-wen.  

'Over these years, moving between Taiwan and Orchid Island, I shared many joyful moments with Ching-wen. I hoped to document his life on the island and even wrote a script for him. Yet, after years of waiting, when I finally received a bit of funding to film, he had to leave Orchid Island.' – KUO Chen-ti

When fishing at sea, he always glimpses Guishan Island. Childhood memories and the villagers' distinct qualities were buried there during the village’s relocation. 'Now, we hide our homesickness in dreams'. Witnessing the island's tourism deeply affects displaced islanders.  

Old folks waiting for a good coffin, children waiting to leave the island, soldiers anticipating military retirement... Trees waiting for wind, wind seeking rocks, rocks waiting for man’s return, and I’m waiting for the movie to end.  

'This is my hometown. When I first picked up the camera to praise you, what I saw was your abandoned face. Only 16 minutes, yet my feelings were so heavy and fearful. That island, the island I want to return to but don't know how... I think this is a movie that (Kinmen) islanders dare not see...' - HUANG Ting-fu