The Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is an internationally known LGBTQ film festival committed to gender equality and diversity. This year, Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles collaborates again with Outfest Los Angeles to launch the Taiwan Program virtually. Available from August 24th-26th PST, the Taiwan Program will present a feature film titled “The Teacher,” and a short film titled “Sunshine in the Ruins,” with post-screening Q&As. This year’s Outfest virtual film festival allows the audience to watch films beyond the geographic boundaries at any time. It also provides an opportunity for the American audience to enjoy Taiwanese films in an innovative way!
With the support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, Taiwan Academy has collaborated with Outfest Los Angeles for three consecutive years since 2018, endorsing the Taiwanese LGBTQ films and Taiwan’s achievements in being the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Being an emerging hub for gender friendly film and TV production, the Taiwan Program is excited to feature “The Teacher” and “Sunshine in the Ruins.”
With focus on the marriage equality activist and high school civics teacher Kevin, who falls in love with an HIV positive married man, “The Teacher” talks about Kevin’s tabooed romantic entanglement with a heterosexual marriage. With his mother not understanding this relationship, the fear of getting infected, the threat from the married man’s wife, and the rumors circulating on campus, Kevin is stuck in a three-way dilemma among love, family, and career. Actress Winnie Chang, who plays the wife, portrays perfectly and naturally the jealousy and anger from betrayal. Her amazing performance won the 56th Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress. Director Chen Ming-Lang will participate in the virtual post-screening Q&A.
The short film, “Sunshine in the Ruins,” is about the inability to accept homosexuality among the general public in spite of the fact that Taiwan is the first Asian country that legalizes same-sex marriage. The short film centers around intergenerational communications that take place in military dependents’ village of Taiwan, with a hope of capturing the discomfort in facing the topics on homosexuality and the relief through reflection. This short film will be included in the short film section “Shorts: Heart to Break.” Director Chou Yu-Cheng will share his creation process and his statement on LGBTQ cultural narrative in Taiwan during the virtual post-screening Q&A.
“These two films present the breathtaking affections and struggles through their intricate narratives,” said Emmy Yang, Director of Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles. She added, “they represent the creative freedom and the dedication to equal rights for LGBTQ in Taiwan. We are extremely delighted to have worked with Outfest Los Angeles for three consecutive years. Through this well-known platform, splendid Taiwanese LGBTQ works will be unveiled to amaze the American audience.”
Ever since its foundation in 1982, Outfest has become one of the most important LGBTQ-oriented media organizations in the world dedicated to gender equality and diversity through LGBTQ-themed film screenings. Due to the pandemic this year, Outfest has turned into a virtual film festival over 11 days from August 20th – 30th, showcasing more than 160 films, panels, and live events from over 20 countries, as well as drive-in screenings. For more information about the 2020 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, please visit https://outfest.org/outfestla2020/.