The Tsai Ming-liang retrospective will run from July 31 to August 17, featuring 14 films that represent Tsai’s filmmaking trajectory, the most complete series ever had in Los Angeles, thanks to the partnership of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and the American Cinematheque. This retrospective is made possible with the support of the spotlight Taiwan grant from the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. Tsai’s work has garnered accolades at the world-famous Venice, Cannes, and Berlin film festivals, among others. Tsai will embark on a trip along with Lee Kang-sheng to attend the Q&A session.
The American Cinematheque has long been an important and creditable non-profit cultural arts organization in curating film series. This is a long-awaited retrospective for film lovers in Los Angeles to meet Tsai in person and get to know more about his vision of his creation and his presentation of Taiwan’s culture and society, stated the Taiwan Academy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. Titles in the series are Rebels of the Neon, Vive L’amour, The River, The Hole, Goodbye Dragon Inn, I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, Journey to the West, Abiding Nowhere, The Wayward Cloud, Record of a Tenement Gentleman, Face, Your Face, Stray Dogs, and What Time Is It There?
Tsai expressed his thanks to the American Cinematheque for hosting the retrospective and to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles for its support. Tsai mentioned his long-overdue visit to Los Angeles and expects to meet old friends and interact with fans of the new generation, as well as introduce a new actor, Anong Houngheuangsy from Lao.
Lee Kang-Sheng, one of Tsai’s all-stars, also said his last visit to Los Angeles was at the invitation of the film schools in Los Angeles. He is pleased with the collaboration between the American Cinematheque and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles for this retrospective. “Our films never fade and are always precious resources for film schools, and I look forward to the film exchange with new friends,” Lee emphasized.
Tsai, born in Malaysia, moved to Taiwan in his twenties and delved into the film world. He established himself as a director and a screenwriter, starting with the feature Rebels of the Neon God. As one of the leading figures in the “Second New Wave” of Taiwanese cinema, Tsai's work has relatively little dialogue and exudes a visual aesthetic as he employs long shots to reveal the characters' genuine feelings, capturing the alienation and loneliness of modern cities. Now, Tsai consistently employs his unique artistic style, pushing the boundaries of cinematic imagination.
For more information about Tsai Ming-liang: An American Cinematheque Retrospective, please visit https://www.americancinematheque.com/series/tsai-ming-liang-an-american-cinematheque-retrospective/.