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Chen Yao-chi

Chen Yao-chi

Directing

Biography

Yao-Chi Chen was born in 1938 in Taiwan. He is a director and production manager, known for Wanchun qingshi (1989), Di Di ri ji (1978) and Pi li da niu (1982).

Known For

The Instant of Gaze: Portraits by Chang Chao-Tang

A biographical documentary filmed in 1999 on the occasion of Chang Chao-tang (張照堂) receiving the National Award for Arts (國家文藝獎) in the Fine Arts category (美術類). In the film he is credited as both director and editor under the pseudonym “Gao Shang-tu” (高尚土)—a name derived by decomposing the character “tang” (堂) into its constituent elements “gao” (高), “shang” (尚), and “tu” (土). Semantically, the pseudonym implies a counter-reference to the notion of temple-like, institutional “high culture,” redirecting emphasis instead toward the vernacular and the earthy—suggesting that what is truly “noble” lies in the force emerging from the “soil” (土) of the people. For this reason, the film may also be understood as a semi-autobiographical documentary that carries an element of self-writing within its particular historical context.

The Instant of Gaze: Portraits by Chang Chao-Tang

1999Movie
Making It
7.5

Those who grew up in Hong Kong in the 1970s definitely remember the Wynners, a band formed by Alan Tam, Kenny Bee, Bennett Pang, Danny Yip, and Anthony Chan. They first dabbled into the film industry with Let's Rock in 1975, and in 1978 Taiwanese director Chen Yao Chi created another Wynners movie Making It. With a script tailored for the Wynners, youth film Making It is an updated Chinese version of The Prince and the Pauper. Five up-and-coming young music lovers, played by none other but the Wynners, overcome a lot of difficulties before they have a chance to perform at a restaurant. However, one of the band members, Alan (Alan Tam), suddenly feels ill and is hospitalized. His four friends fortunately come across the rich Sylvester (also Alan Tam) who looks exactly like Alan, and the four desperate band members ask him to take Alan's place for the performance. Meanwhile, Sylvester's parents, busily fetching Sylvester to fulfill an arranged marriage, mistake Alan as Sylvester...

Making It

1978Movie