Formosa Betrayed -- the official movie preview

The reason transitional justice is so important in Taiwan

The official trailer for the long-awaited film "Formosa Betrayed" is out. The film is based on the real-life murder of a Taiwanese writer which was carried out on American soil, and it follows the trail of evidence right to the top levels of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government:


1:44 YouTube video: "FORMOSA BETRAYED - [OFFICIAL TRAILER]"
My favorite lines from the trailer: "The Chinese say we are their brothers. But if we are brothers, why do they treat us like this?"

I don't know the official release date yet, but if this film is showing anywhere within 20,037.51 kilometers of your location, you must see it. Open your eyes.

FURTHER RESOURCES:
* The official movie web site

* The story and the history behind it via the official web site

* The film's news page mentions some festivals where the film has been accepted and will probably be the place to find out the actual release date.

* Formosa Betrayed on IMDb.com

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Cast of characters: Taiwan, 台灣, transitional justice, 轉型正義, Formosa Betrayed

Cross-posted at It's Not Democracy, It's A Conspiracy!

Jerome F. Keating floats an important campaign issue for Taiwan's 2008 presidential election

Transitional Justice

Using an allegory in which an "unwanted relative" illustrates the real-life situation involving Taiwan, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), and their 2008 presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) (currently under indictment for abusing his personal allowance while mayor of Taipei), Jerome paints the bitter picture of Taiwan's recent history.

Here's a brief excerpt:

Transitional justice needs to be a campaign issue for 2008. Ma had promised in 2005 that he would divest the KMT of its "ill gotten gains." So far he has simply sold a few assets and put the money in the KMT's already bulging coffers. The numbers are there; the KMT remains one of the richest parties in the world; Taiwan remains in need of its state assets. Perhaps a brief allegorical tale is in order. It is the Tale of the Unwanted Relative.

The tale begins. A distant relative who has been fighting with his brother in a long battle for possession of their home invades your home and imposes on your hospitality. He tells you he has come to liberate you from your past. For four years (1945-49) he rapes your daughters, takes your sons to fight his battles and pillages your family heritage and your family's home to support his losing effort to retain his own home. At the end of the four years, your home is devastated, he has lost and so he decides to move back in with you.

Go read the rest.

Jerome was also at this past Saturday's International Conference on the Comparative Studies of Transitional Justice. Be sure to take a look at what he had to say about that as well.

David Reid of David on Formosa was also in attendance at the conference. Be sure to check out his take on the event.

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People, places, and things: Taiwan, 台灣, Jerome Keating, 祁夫潤, Ma Ying-jeou, 馬英九, transitional justice, 轉型正義

Cross-posted at It's Not Democracy, It's A Conspiracy!

International Conference on the Comparative Studies of Transitional Justice

On Saturday, July 28, 2007, at the Taipei International Shangri La Hotel, Taiwan Thinktank is hosting an International Conference on the Comparative Studies of Transitional Justice.



Here are the details, via their web site:

Date: Saturday, 28 July, 2007
Venue: 3F, Taipei International Shangri La Hotel
(3F, No 201, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Taipei)
Hosted by: Taiwan Thinktank
Enquiry line: +886 2 2370 6987 ext 161 (Ms Tseng )
You may also fax your details to +886 2 2370 6994

- This conference will be held in English.
- Simultaneous translation equipments will be provided to you upon request.

Purpose:

 Download the agenda

The link on the small image above lists the panelists and their background in dealing with the issue of transitional justice.

Those who wish to attend may also register online.

FURTHER READING:
* Wikipedia entry about transitional justice

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On the agenda: Taiwan, 台灣, transitional justice, 轉型正義

Cross-posted at It's Not Democracy, It's A Conspiracy!