TV, cinema and music in Taiwan, the excellence of Catholic artists
Taipei ( AsiaNews) - On May 17, after a break of 12 years the Taiwanese Catholic Artist's Guild (天主教 艺术 工作者 联合会) met once again. It is an important event because in the last three decades of the twentieth century, the history of Taiwanese television, film and music saw a great influence of Catholic artists. At the time, despite being a minority, they were part of the most famous group in the eyes of the Taiwanese viewers and wider Chinese audience.
The undisputed leader of the group, for artistic talent and abundant personality, ago , it was the actor Sihung Lung (郎雄, 1930-2002 ) who died 12 years. He was an international figure unique among Taiwanese artists: he was the protagonist of the first three films by Ang Lee (李安) Pushing Hands " (推 手)" The wedding banquet " (喜宴) and " Eat drink man woman" (饮食 男女) , two of which were nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film ("The wedding banquet " in 1994 and "Eat drink man woman" in 1995). They opened the doors to international fame for the renowned actor and especially for Ang Lee, who won the Oscar as best director two years ago for the second time.
Under the leadership of Sihung Lung, the Catholic artists guild enjoyed an extraordinary power. After his death, no one had taken over the baton to organize an annual meeting, at least until now.
The meeting of May 17, involved more than 70 personalities. The gathering was held at the headquarters of Kuangchi Program Service (光启 社) , where the most important television shows of the time were recorded, and where the majority of these artists worked in those decades.
The television studio was prepared and decorated in detail for a repetition of sketches, famous songs and testimonies.
Organizers included Fr. Jerry Martinson (丁松筠 神父), another TV star in the history of Taiwan, who is still active. In brief message of welcome, he recalled the four characteristics of the group: proclamation, witness, spiritual life and sharing.
Bishop Philip Huang Jaw-ming (黄兆明 主教) of Hualian was also present, a self-declared fan of the artists who had gathered. He expressed a deep gratitude and great encouragement to all Catholic artists in bringing messages of beauty and positivity to the society. The hope - he said in his message - is that many other young Catholics can express their talent at the same level as this "golden generation" that is still part of the collective imagination of the vast majority of the population in Taiwan and huge Chinese speaking audience scattered in different continents
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