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Invisible Nation

  • 2023
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
358
YOUR RATING
Invisible Nation (2023)
Documentary

Taiwan's first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, centers this portrait of the constantly colonized island, as it struggles to preserve its hard-won democracy, autonomy and freedom from fear of... Read allTaiwan's first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, centers this portrait of the constantly colonized island, as it struggles to preserve its hard-won democracy, autonomy and freedom from fear of authoritarian aggression.Taiwan's first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, centers this portrait of the constantly colonized island, as it struggles to preserve its hard-won democracy, autonomy and freedom from fear of authoritarian aggression.

  • Director
    • Vanessa Hope
  • Stars
    • Chu Chen
    • Yu-jie Chen
    • Bi-Khim Hsiao
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    358
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Vanessa Hope
    • Stars
      • Chu Chen
      • Yu-jie Chen
      • Bi-Khim Hsiao
    • 9User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 7 nominations total

    Photos11

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    Top cast14

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    Chu Chen
    • Self
    Yu-jie Chen
    • Self
    Bi-Khim Hsiao
    • Self
    Michelle Kuo
    • Self
    Freddy Lim
    Freddy Lim
    • Self
    Wen Liu
    • Self
    Ying-jeou Ma
    • Self
    Nancy Pelosi
    Nancy Pelosi
    • Self
    Shawna Yang Ryan
    • Self
    Audrey Tang
    • Self
    Ing-wen Tsai
    Ing-wen Tsai
    • Self
    Enoch Wu
    • Self
    Pei-yi Wu
    • Self
    Maysing Yang
    • Self
    • Director
      • Vanessa Hope
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    7.8358
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    Featured reviews

    10bali-14032

    A documentary that foreigners and Taiwanese people should absolutely watch! :)

    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! :)
    8ferguson-6

    a nation of hope

    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.
    10jaztili

    A thought provoking film

    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.
    9crhwang-00553

    Incredible Story

    If you want to understand the history of Taiwan and it's struggle with Big Red China, this film would be a good start for you.

    The film clearly brings you the political transition in Taiwan from an authoritarian government into a democratic system. It is not easy at all. It takes a lot of people, who sacrifice their lives to let the Taiwanese people to enjoy the freedom now.

    By looking at Chinese Communist nailed down Hong Kong democracy in 2017, most of Taiwanese people stand up with free world to fight against possible invasion from China. If we lose Taiwan and it's democracy, free countries such as Japan, South Korea, Philippine, etc. Will be forced to defend their own country, sames as America.

    The chips manufacturing including AI in Taiwan will be destroyed or controlled by Communist, which is totally authoritarian region, very corrupted, and have killed many millions of their own people.

    This film will give you a better understanding about what the world is happening now. We have to fight against aggressors such as Russia, China, North Korea, etc. Right now.

    Michael.
    8wix99

    Taiwan matters because democracy matters

    This documentary shines a light on the spirit and resilience of Taiwan's democracy in the face of an escalating military threat from China. The central focus is Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen who was elected in 2016. The filmmaker had good access to Tsai and conducted several interviews with her over the period from 2016 to 2022. Tsai admits she was a shy child, but she really is a quiet achiever. She has resolutely upheld Taiwan's sovereignty and helped to strengthen Taiwan's support from the international community while China has simultaneously exerted military and diplomatic pressure to isolate Taiwan.

    Taiwan is shown as a nation that values democracy, peace and pluralism, a sharp contrast to its bullying neighbour which threatens Taiwan with violence. A number of key figures in Tsai's government were also interviewed including foreign minister, Joseph Wu, and former representative to the USA, Hsiao Bi-khim. They are Taiwan's greatest and most tireless advocates and have been key to the success of Tsai's efforts to raise Taiwan's international support.

    The documentary would have benefited from including more voices from Taiwan's younger generations. They are, after all, Taiwan's future. Overall, Invisible Nation presents a clear narrative of Taiwan maintaining its democracy in difficult circumstances. At a time when democracy around the world is under pressure Taiwan shows the value of democracy, but that democracy cannot survive without the world's support.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The original name of this film was "Hearts and Minds". The director visited Taiwan first time during the first presidential election of Taiwan. She was a post graduate student recording documentary film in this island nation. When she understands the history of Taiwan, she becomes pro Taiwan.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 13, 2025 (Taiwan)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Taiwan
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • Mandarin
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 看不見的國家
    • Production companies
      • 100 Chapters Productions
      • Double Hope Films
      • Seine Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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