September 26-October 2, 2011
Headline News
Christian documentary on Hsiaolin Village and Morakot victims brings tears and accolades
Reported by Sam Lee
Written by Lydia Ma
Christian artists Lo Hsing-chieh and wife Wang Shiu-ling’s newest documentary “A Gift for Father’s Day – The Tragedy of Hsiaolin Village Part 1” was released and shown in Tainan on September 22, 2011. The film released in Tainan was followed by a forum attended by many Hsiaolin villagers.
According to Lo, Typhoon Morakot, which devastated southern Taiwan in August 2009 and triggered a landslide that wiped out an entire village, is now part of Taiwan’s collective memory and the documentary highlights the struggle of villagers as well as policy shortcomings.
Having spent so much time with victims who lost houses and loved ones to Typhoon Morakot, the couple no longer see themselves as mere bystanders chronicling events. On this occasion, Lo encouraged all victims to stand in solidarity with one another and to love one another as God commanded in the Bible. He cautioned them against letting private interests create rifts in their communities.
Lo also urged his audience to consider that both elected officials and citizens need to take responsibility for this tragedy and rebuilding efforts, adding “as it’s the people who elect their governments, so, their governments reflect them.”
This documentary won accolades at this year’s Taipei Film Festival, and took home the Grand Prize and the Best Documentary award. But for Lo, he feels he only did what he was called to do and prefers that all focus remain on the victims of this tragedy. He plans to donate all the proceeds of this film to rebuilding Hsiaolin Village.
Many villagers from Hsiaolin saw the movie when it was released in Tainan. They fought back tears when interviewed and said they were grateful for the outpouring of concern for villagers shown by many in Taiwan and other countries.
Part 2 of this film is scheduled to finish production by the end of 2011. For information on how to purchase the DVD of this film, contact Hsiaolin Community Development Association at (07) 676-1455.
