Taiwanese short film "Rowboat" has been selected for screening at the 19th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea in October.
The 28-minute film by director Wang Hsi-chieh is about a romantic encounter between a boy and a girl on the waters of Bitan, a popular riverside spot for young lovers in New Taipei. It is set in the 1950s, and was inspired by the true story of the director’s father.
"Rowboat" has little dialogue; the director says it instead focuses on expressiveness conveyed through the camera. The film was shot from various angles to show the shy nature of budding first love.
Taiwan will have a strong presence at the Busan festival, which will run from Oct. 2-11. This year, director Doze Niu's "Paradise in Service," a coming-of-age drama about Taiwanese soldiers in the 1960s, has been chosen as the opening film.
Films by Chienn Hsiang and Chang Jung-chi, and Taiwan-based Tsai Ming-liang, will also be featured in a category called “A Window on Asian Cinema”.
Director Wang Wei-ming's drama "(Sex) Appeal" has also been nominated for an award in the New Currents section.