Opening Night - Feature Film: Love Boat: Taiwan | Short film: Going Home | Opening Night Reception

Feature Film: Love Boat: Taiwan, a feature-length documentary, looks into of one of the longest running summer programs in the world. Love Boat: Taiwan revisits the program's participants and explores the history and popularity of this well-known program, which is sponsored by the Taiwanese government and which takes place every summer in Taiwan. Despite its high-minded aspirations that include classes in Mandarin-language study, martial arts, and brush painting, the program’s popularity stems from another source: its reputation as an excellent place for college-aged Taiwanese Americans and other overseas Chinese to hook up and find romance. Even though they are not on a boat, they were landlocked at a conference center in Taipei which was why it was commonly known by its romantic nickname – the Taiwan Love Boat.

Short Film Premiere: Going Home - Passing over the Sierra Mountain Range, Interstate 80 extends miles across the high desert of Nevada. Sitting along I-80 is the small town of Carlin, 23 miles west of Elko. Carlin’s motto is “Where the Train Stops and the Gold Rush Begins.” On July 3, 2018, the remains of 13 Chinese workers were reburied in Carlin’s Cemetery in a ceremony honoring “the oldest citizens of Carlin.” These remains were discovered by accident in 1996. Local restaurant owner Liju Chin and the town of Carlin have been waiting for these remains' coming home for 22 years. Archeological research has shown that these 13 Chinese had rough lives dating back to more than a hundred years ago, a time when Carlin was a railway station of The Transcontinental Railroad. The 25-minute documentary tells a story about the town’s deeply rooted love and respect. It is an official selection for opening night of the 5th Silicon Valley Asia Pacific Film Festival.

Q&A Guests
Valerie Soe, Director and Producer, Love Boat: Taiwan
Min Zhou, Director and Producer, Going Home

Reception Included