The movie theatre where Arvin Chen's film Au Revoir Taipei made its world premiere
I had the pleasure of attending the Berlin International Film Festival where I was able to see the world premiere of Arvin Chen’s first feature-length film Au Revior Taipei. Last year he came away from the festival with a Silver Bear Award for his short film Mei, which you can watch below in its entirety. I am so glad that I was able to make the trip to Berlin, amazed at what Arvin has been doing for the past couple years (and the director and writer that he has become), and enchanted with his new beautiful film. Although light-hearted and whimsical in tone, Au Revior Taipei stays with you, and I found myself wandering under the gateway arches of Berlin, smiling and thinking of lines from the film, or a visual image that had a lasting mark, or the 30s inspired jazz music that compliments the story perfectly.
Arvin readily admits to stealing heavily from the French New Wave, but he does so with a unique vision that separates him from the French, Taiwanese and American filmmakers. He is creating a niche all to his own, not so much stylistically like what Wes Anderson did with his debut Bottle Rocket (which Arvin jokingly says his aspired to imitate), but instead in the subtle tone and feel of the film. This makes the viewing experience rich and welcomed by moviegoers looking for something sophisticated and new.
If his feature film is this good (which it is, but I consider myself a bit biased), one wonders with anticipation what is next on the bright horizon, obscured only by the cityscape of Taipei, Arvin’s unique backdrop to his cinematic stage full of good food, dancing and soul.
Some Press and Reviews:
Mei from Arvin Chen on Vimeo.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The short film reminds me a bit of Lost in Translation, just the overall feel of the quiet parts. I’m excited about this.. it’s rare to find something out of the norm for Chinese and especially Taiwanese films.
It’s screening at the San Francisco Asian American Film Festival
http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/filmguide
There might still be some tickets left, but it sold out in Berlin (4 screenings), so you need to jump on it.