Taiwan Docs

'Pongso no Tao〜 Island of People is a documentary about the life stories of several Tao friends in Lanyu, and it is also the most challenging work I have encountered since I started filmmaking. It's difficult because of Orchid Island's remoteness. A friend who also filmed on Orchid Island said that it is not easier to go to Lanyu than to go to Japan. In summer, the tourist season, friends on the island are busy making a living, and have no time for anything else. In winter, under the strong attack of the northeast monsoon, it is not easy to land on the island. In total, we have visited Lanyu 6 times, and the longest time we stayed there was two months in a row.

'I admire the Tao people of the past, who, in an era of scarce resources and difficult natural environment, relied entirely on their own hands and physical strength to cut wood to build boats, reclaim wasteland to plant crops, and build houses. The precious cultural assets they left behind are the pride of the Tao people today.

'The Taiwanese government has always considered Lanyu to be a remote area. In recent years, the island has been unable to cope with the demand of the tourism industry. However, the issues that are urgently needed to be resolved, such as the livelihood of the Lanyu people, land issues, and the education and employment of young people, are the deep concerns of the Tao people, and they are also the aspects that we care about.' - TSAO Wen-chieh and LIN Wan-yu