The documentary film “Invisible Nation,” which follows the evolution of Taiwan’s democracy, recently had its premiere in Northern California. The film’s production team reported that screenings in Berkeley and San Jose were completely sold out last week.
From July 31 to Aug. 4, the film was screened at various theaters in Berkeley, Sebastopol, San Jose, San Francisco, and San Rafael.
On Aug. 2, Vanessa Hope, Ted Hope, and another co-producer, Cassandra Jabola, held a press conference in San Francisco to share insights into the making of the movie.
Vanessa Hope’s interest in Taiwan was sparked during her participation in a study-abroad program organized by Stanford University in Taiwan, where she witnessed the country’s first presidential election and the military threats from China’s communist regime. This experience fueled her passion for Taiwan and its global significance.
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In 2016, Tsai Ing-wen was elected as Taiwan’s first female president, prompting Vanessa Hope to consider creating a documentary about Tsai. After receiving positive feedback from Taiwan’s presidential office and support from the Compton Foundation in San Francisco, the production of “Invisible Nation” officially began in 2017 and was completed in 2023. Throughout the production process, the team had multiple opportunities to engage with Tsai directly, witnessing the progress of Taiwan’s democracy.
Despite this progress, Hope noted that Taiwan remains largely unknown to many worldwide, emphasizing the motivation behind “Invisible Nation” and its title.
Reflecting on her connection to Taiwan, Hope recounted filming significant historical moments during Lee Teng-hui’s inauguration as president in 1996. This experience solidified her bond with Taiwan.
Jabola, an independent producer from the Philippines, shared that the film initially focused on Taiwan’s internal dynamics but expanded to address global issues as production advanced.
Jabola highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) intimidation tactics towards Taiwan, leading some countries to sever diplomatic ties with the island. She stressed the importance of sharing Taiwan’s story globally to prevent similar situations in other nations.
Hope expressed her admiration for the Taiwanese people, citing her “old sister” landlord, Ms. Wu, whom she stayed with during her 1995 study-abroad program in Taiwan.
At the event, Hope read a letter from Ms. Wu, praising the film for capturing Taiwan’s hard-won democracy and encouraging viewers to appreciate and support democratic values.
Can you please rewrite this sentence?
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