Taiwan: The Making of a Nation - Documentary Screening and Director Q&A
Key information
- Date
- Time
-
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Venue
- Main Building, SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh St, London WC1H 0XG
- Room
- DLT
About this event
This event features a screening of Parts I and II of the newly produced documentary, Taiwan Undaunted: In search of the nation that cannot call itself a nation, followed by a conversation with the director, Neal E. Robbins, a SOAS MA Taiwan Studies alumnus.
19:00 - 20:00 Documentary Screening
20:00 - 21:00 In conversation with director, Neal E. Robbins
Taiwan does what nations are supposed to do: allow people to thrive.
That’s the conclusion of Taiwan Undaunted: In search of the nation that cannot call itself a nation, a four-part, one hour-and-45-minute documentary by journalist Neal E. Robbins, who built on his experiences as a foreign correspondent and familiarity with the island over half a century to make the film.
To connect to what Taiwan really is, who its people are, and how they live in the shadow of China, he spent six months criss-crossing the island, interviewing those he met and observing Taiwan.
He drilled down into Taiwan’s dark historical legacies, the evolving Taiwanese identity, and how the people’s hopes and dreams bind Taiwan and China together in contrary ways, even as China threatens violence if Taiwan continues to reject its demands to accept Chinese rule.
The documentary opens with an exploration of national identity, of how the imperial past, colonialism and decades of martial law have sown deep national divisions. School teachers, academics, computer game makers, a tour guide and a landscape painter share their views.
Drawing on testimony from experts, entrepreneurs, leaders and politicians, the film looks into the forces shaping Taiwan’s society, such as the island’s so-called “miracle” growth and its aftermath. The challenges for minorities, especially indigenous peoples, and how China’s meddling have skewed politics, are addressed.
*This event is open to public and no need for registeration.
** The SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies would like to thank TaiwanPlus for granting the rights of screening for this documentary.
Meet the director
Neal E. Robbins
Neal E. Robbins is a journalist and SOAS MA Taiwan studies alumni. He is a former foreign correspondent in East Asia and Europe and professor of journalism. Reviewers have compared his last book was on Venice, Italy, to the classic on the Italian city by James Morris. Recently Robbins has contributed articles to The Guardian and Foreign Policy magazine.
(Image by TaiwanPlus)
