Still from "Beats of Freedom"
The Polish documentary film "Beats of Freedom" was on the programme at the 11th edition of Taiwan's Kaohsiung Film Festival
The documentary, made by directors Leszek Gnoinski and Wojciech Słota, explores the role of the Polish music scene within contemporary Polish youth during the breakdown communism.
The Kaohsuing Film Festival, which took place in Southern Taiwan, included the film as part of its "Special Program: MUSIC POWER" series. This year's edition of the film festival focuses on nine main sections, with a focus on Asian and European cinema.
The 1st Kaohsiung Film Festival was held in 2001 and included three film series devoted to Asian cinema. Subsequent editions ranged in theme from "Digital Cinema", films celebrating Kaohsuing city itself, to screenings of both emerging Asian cinema and international prizewinners of the Rotterdam and Sundance film festivals.
Last year's festival screened 130 films and included special guest directors and producers such as Reha Erdem (Turkey), Sean Baker (USA) and Nithiwat Tharathorn (Japan).
This year, different themed 'night showcases' will feature 116 different films. 'Director in Focus', for instance, highlights new works from directors such as Sion Sono and Volker Schlondorff. "Detective Fiction & Film: Yokoyama Hideo" focuses on films adapted from the literary works of the acclaimed Japanese novelist, whilst screenings entitled 'People Power' and 'Special Program: MUSIC POWER' chronicle the lives of blue collar workers and human rights issues.
The festival is hosted by Kaohsiung Film Archive and the Kaohsiung City Government Bureau of Cultural Affairs.
"Beats of Freedom" was commissioned by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The film is part of the Guide to the Poles film series, which is a flagship project of the Cultural Programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
Date: 26th of October - 6th of November, 2011
Venue: Various locations, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Organised by: Kaohsuing Film Archive, Kaohsuing Bureau of Cultural Affairs
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute