Invisible Nation

Slamdance FF 2024 Greetings again from the darkness. The festival's closing night film selection was this penetrative documentary by Vanessa Hope (granddaughter of producer Walter Wanger and classic film actress Joan Bennett). Given the state of global geopolitics at the moment, this inside glimpse of Taiwan through the eyes of its first female President, Tsai Ing-wen couldn't be more timely.

It's tough to decide which is more heartbreaking: watching high school students proclaim their identity through a Taiwan they view as an independent nation, or China President Xi Jinping stating, "Taiwan is China", and that reunification is inevitable. Taiwan has been a democracy for decades, but it's also a de facto country, one that isn't even allowed to use their own name at the Olympics (Chinese Taipei).

We immediately gain respect for President Tsai Ing-wen as an exceptionally smart and wise and tough leader. On a daily basis, she deals with suppression from China, and has to walk a fine diplomatic line between supporters and detractors. We learn a bit more about The Sunflower Movement, a student-led rebellion and what role that has played in recent history. Unfortunately, this well-made and informative documentary reinforces the dread we feel towards the future of Taiwan as an independent nation.

This carefully crafted documentary by Vanessa Hope is a MUST watch; Informative, and incredibly compelling. Especially helpful to an audience unfamiliar with Taiwan, a case is presented as to WHY Taiwan - and also Ukraine- are so important to democracies around the world. Vanessa Hope had a lot of access to the President, Tsai Ing-wen, and does a great job presenting both the politician and the human being. This film also feels very timely- with the challenges of a female candidate and an energized youth vote fighting to be heard. Wei-San Hsu's score is absolutely beautiful. This film deserves to be on every short list for Documentary Feature awards.

No it's not a boring documentary about Taiwan's first female President. It's a very enjoyable, thought provoking film on Taiwan's very complicated history and politics. Vanessa Hope did a phenomenal job highlighting the controversial and touchy subject without making this into a political propaganda. The film is factually correct, and well researched. It's also a must see for anyone who needs a reminder how precious and fragile democracy is. The music is very beautiful and poignant too. Hopefully the movie will stream online someday soon but most likely not for a long while. For obvious reasons. No big name platforms will risk making a certain totalitarian powerhouse country uncomfortable. Sad reality.

Where do I start?

Taiwan is the most important semiconductor exporting country in the world. Taiwan is not Thailand. Taiwan is not part of China.

Despite not maintaining official political relationships with most of the world, the importance of Taiwan and visibility in recent years just go sky rocketing!

BTW, the CCP-lead China government has never own or rule Taiwan, not even for a minute!

Taiwan has their own 23 million peace-loving people(including many foreigners), a strong military, its own land, constitutions and a thriving democracy. Its hard fought story to its current position deserves to be known by more freedom-loving people in the world. It's always one of the safest and best tourist destinations in Asia.

A highly recommended documentary! Let's Go, Team Taiwan! :)

Taiwan is the most culturally complex island nation in Asia, yet little is understood here about it. Formerly known as Formosa ("beautiful" in Portuguese, the first Europeans to have a presence there), home to numerous indigenous groups long before any outsiders, including Chinese, arrived, Taiwan is like Sicily in the Mediterranean: a large island close to major geopolitical powers, ruled by various foreigners for centuries, yet proudly and insistently their own people, especially, in Taiwan's case, since the end of WWII and the Japanese occupation.

INVISIBLE NATION does the island justice in its portrayal of its president and the peaceful transfer of power after a recent election, and its stalwart resistance to being taken over by the PRC. A must-see for anyone passionate about democracy, freedom, and human rights.