Director Yin Youqiao and Zeng Weiliang co-directed the Taiwanese film “White Coat, Blue Dog,” which won the “Golden Camera Special Mention Award” in the Director’s Fortnight competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. Taiwan’s Minister of Culture, Li Yuan, expressed joy and pride, calling to congratulate them immediately after the news.
The Ministry of Culture released a press release today (26th), where Li Yuan mentioned that since the Berlin Film Festival, Taiwanese films have received recognition in major competition categories, including making a strong presence at the Cannes Film Festival. Apart from the award-winning film, another Taiwanese film “Insects” was nominated in the Critics’ Week competition, and the immersive work “Through the Mist” was nominated in the immersive content competition.
“White Coat, Blue Dog” is a co-production between Taiwan, Singapore, and France, co-directed by Yin Youqiao and Zeng Weiliang, with actors such as Jiuyi Yichun and Lu Yijing invited to star in the film.
The story follows a Thai migrant worker who illegally works as a caregiver in Taiwan to support his family. However, a dispute arises when he is not paid by his employer, forcing him into a moral dilemma for survival. Ultimately, he gets lost in the mist of difficult circumstances, portraying a narrative of human struggle and the right to life. The film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival not only captured the attention of the jury with its subject matter but also deepened international audiences’ impression of Taiwan’s cultural life.
Several international co-produced films involving Taiwanese artists also participated in exhibitions and received accolades. These included “Colored” by Frontiers Entertainment Limited, which won the “Best Immersive Work Award” in the immersive competition section, and “The Shameless” by Spectrum Images Limited, which won the “Best Actress Award” in a noteworthy unit. Additionally, Wu Kexi and Li Kangsheng’s film “Blue Sun Palace” was awarded the “French Touch Jury Award” in the Critics’ Week competition.
The Ministry of Culture expressed gratitude for the outstanding creative work of Taiwanese filmmakers, continuously bringing Taiwanese cinema to the world with beautiful film productions. The ministry is driving the “Black Tide Project,” which comprehensively focuses on six cultural and artistic areas including art, publications, cultural creativity, audiovisual arts, cultural technology, and cultural diplomacy. It also encourages filmmakers to explore the international market, ensuring that more films shine on the international stage.