I saw this film at the St. Louis International Film Festival and could not have been more impressed. I left the theater with countless questions and consequently could not stop talking about US-Taiwan relations for weeks. I am sure this is what the filmmakers intended.
I find it shocking that I do not know a single person from my generation (even among student peers who claim to be more passionate about foreign affairs than the average American) who has even heard of the name "Formosa"—not to mention that China currently has hundreds of missiles pointed at the island from its side of the Taiwan Strait, or that the U.S. has promised to unconditionally defend Taiwan in any situation of armed attack. I therefore feel certain the majority of Americans will relate perfectly to James Van Der Beek's character, Agent Kelly, who also knows absolutely nothing about the subject matter.
Agent Kelly receives a brutal reality check in Taipei, and so will American audiences when they see this film. I am sure my peers will leave the theater just as eager to ask questions and to learn more about Taiwan as I was. The filmmakers do not seek to teach a perfect history lesson through documentary but rather to tell a dramatic story that will catch Americans' attention, inspire dialogue, and encourage them to better educate themselves on this important issue. In this regard, James Van Der Beek, Will Tiao and Wendy Crewson's performances are all highly effective. The nonlinear narrative furthermore forces audiences to more actively engage themselves with the film and accordingly with the larger issues presented. Overall, I would call "Formosa Betrayed" a huge success.
