TAIPEI, April 27 – A film set during taiwan’s martial law period, “Pachinko,” took home the Best Feature Film award at the Taiwan Film Golden Horse Awards on Saturday, marking a critically important recognition of a sensitive period in the island’s history. The film, directed by Te-yi Chen, explores the experiences of a Taiwanese family navigating life under authoritarian rule.
The win for “Pachinko” comes as Taiwan continues to grapple with its complex past adn ongoing debates surrounding transitional justice. The Golden Horse Awards, considered the most prestigious film honors in the Mandarin-speaking world, provide a prominent platform for films addressing politically and socially relevant themes. The film’s success signals a growing appetite for stories that confront Taiwan’s authoritarian legacy and honor the experiences of those who lived through it.
“Pachinko” centers on the story of a family impacted by the White Terror period, a time of political repression and persecution from 1949 to 1987. The film depicts the challenges faced by individuals and families under strict surveillance and the lasting trauma inflicted by the era.
Other major winners at the awards included Gingle Wang, who was named Best Director for “The Old Flower,” and Liu Kuan-ting, who won Best Actor for his role in “Money and Love.” The awards ceremony, held in Taipei, celebrated a diverse range of Taiwanese cinematic talent.
