Deng Nan-guang's 8mm Movies (Deng,1935-1941): Mini-Film Review

Deng Nan-guang (1907-1971) was a well-regarded photographer in both pre- and post- colonized Taiwan who shot home movies that offer a candid portrayal of Taiwan life. The silent films recorded in Deng Nan-guang's 鄧南光 8mm Movies 家庭電影 (Deng 鄧南光,1935-1941) show Taiwan under Japanese rule: a leisurely afternoon spent fishing, Tamsui (淡水, Danshui), a school event at a local kindergarten with his son in attendance, a parade, and also scenes along the coast of Japan.

Taiwan's stunning tropical beaches and verdant mountain ranges are renowned. What is remarkable to see here is that all of the island looked like this at one time. Deng's images of Danshui remind me that Taipei once looked like Kenting. What a cool thing it is to see that here. Of course, the material condition and political situation at the time these images were made is powerful as well.

Deng Nan-guang's 8mm Movies x Wami Wang with Improvised Original Music on YouTube

For my complete list of Taiwan Cinema Toolkit film reviews, click this link here.

William Finnegan Discusses Kelly Slater's Wave Pool

An excellent video on the current state of surfing embedded from The New Yorker: