Taiwan virtual reality film “The Deserted” by acclaimed local director Tsai Ming-liang debuted last week at ANB Tokyo in Japan, according to the Ministry of Culture Feb. 17.
Co-produced by Tsai’s production company and New Taipei City-based HTC Corp., the 55-minute fantasy centers on a man recovering from an illness who cannot communicate coherently with his mother nor a female ghost living next door, but only a fish. The movie is presented in 360-degree VR, enabling audiences to enjoy the full scope of the intricately layered scenes.
Anticipated popularity of the film necessitated the scheduling of 45 screenings through Feb. 21 at ANB Tokyo, the MOC said, adding that demand to date has met expectations.
The ministry said the movie underscores the success of ongoing efforts to partner with and support enterprises specializing in the development of next-generation and VR technologies tailored for the cultural and creative industries. It also demonstrates the country’s high-tech prowess and organizers’ ability to safely stage public events amid COVID-19, the center added.
One of the highlights of the screening season is an online forum starring Tsai. Staged Feb. 16 and hosted by Japan director Yuko Nakamura, the event drew the curtains back on the film’s creative process and production techniques, as well as provided a platform for Tsai to share his thoughts and feelings on the challenges posed by coronavirus.
The movie is part of the Theater Commons Tokyo project, which aims to create a collective space for harnessing the creativity and experiential power of theater. Themed Bodies in Incubation, the 2021 edition of the event is co-organized by Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo, ACT, the Japanese embassies of France and the Netherlands, and Goethe-Institut Tokyo.
Tsai is best known for his unreserved attitude toward cinematographic and thematic experimentation. Born and bred in Malaysia, he immigrated to Taiwan and later earned critical acclaim for his first full-length offering “Rebels of the Neon God” in 1992. (YCH-E)
