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Taiwan's scenic beauty fools the world: 'The House on the Moon' turns Keelung, Taoyuan into the moon in an instant

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Taiwanese sci-fi martial arts film "The House on the Moon" has been selected for the main competition at the 79th Locarno Film Festival.
  • The film creatively reinterprets the myth of Chang'e flying to the moon, using Taiwanese landscapes like Keelung and Taoyuan as futuristic settings.
  • Despite being filmed primarily in Taiwan, the movie's visually stunning and otherworldly scenes convinced international audiences it was set on the moon.

The Taiwanese sci-fi martial arts film "The House on the Moon" is making waves internationally, having secured a spot in the main competition at the 79th Locarno Film Festival. It stands as the sole Chinese-language film to be selected for this prestigious section this year. Director Yang Guorui, along with lead actors Huang Kuan-chih, Chang Huai-chiu, and Lin Shih-an, presented the film at its premiere in Switzerland to an audience of over a thousand.

As a 'mortal,' I was able to act with a group of deities. It still feels unbelievable that the work has reached an international film festival.

— Huang Kuan-chihLead actor Huang Kuan-chih shared his emotional reaction after the film's international premiere.

What has particularly captivated viewers is the film's innovative approach to ancient mythology. It reimagines the classic tale of Chang'e flying to the moon, transplanting the story into a futuristic world. Astonishingly, 50-60% of the film's scenes, which audiences perceived as a mythical lunar landscape, were actually shot in various locations across Taiwan. Iconic sites such as Elephant Trunk Rock in Shen'ao Cape, Buddha's Hand Cave in Keelung, the Guanyin Sand Dunes in Taoyuan, and Heping Island Geological Park were transformed into fantastical settings.

Lead actor Huang Kuan-chih expressed his disbelief and emotion at seeing his work recognized on an international stage, stating it felt incredible to act alongside "immortals" as a mere mortal. Chang Huai-chiu was equally moved by the experience of thousands of international viewers watching a Chinese-language film together, describing the post-screening feeling as surreal.

The scene of thousands of foreign audiences watching a Chinese-language film together was shocking. It felt very unreal after the screening.

— Chang Huai-chiuActor Chang Huai-chiu described his experience at the film's premiere.

The film's production involved a cross-border collaboration between Taiwan and Singapore. Director Yang Guorui is no stranger to the Locarno Film Festival, having won the Golden Leopard for Best Director and the award for Best First Feature film in 2023 for his previous work, "Welcome." "The House on the Moon" is slated for release in Taiwan in the future.

I once again felt the importance of English.

— Huang Kuan-chihHuang Kuan-chih lamented his limited English proficiency, which he felt hindered his ability to connect with international filmmakers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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