By Javier Castro Bugarín
Taipei, Mar 8 (EFE).- Filmmaker S. Leo Chiang has always been intrigued by the Kinmen archipelago, Taiwan’s first line of defense and the closest territory to China governed by the self-ruled island.
His short documentary, “Island in Between,” delves into the complexities of identity, both personal and geopolitical, through the lens of the captivating archipelago.
Chiang’s notions were shattered upon his first visit to Kinmen, where he found a blend of wartime artifacts and stunning natural beauty defying what he had thought it to be like.
“And when I first landed (there), it was really nothing like what I imagined,” the filmmaker told EFE in an interview. “It just doesn’t feel like what you imagined, what I imagined. So that fascinated me.”
The contrast between the perennial possibility of war and the everyday lives under the fear inspired “Island in Between,” which will compete for the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film on Sunday.
The film examines the tensions between Taiwan, China, and the United States from a Taiwanese perspective, an insight into a region often overshadowed by geopolitical tension.
“From there, you probably can see and hear things and feel things that you cannot from Taipei, or from the rest of the main Taiwan Island,” he said.
“A lot of them have the attitude (that) we’ve always been really friendly with the folks in China, and we support closer relationships (with China).”
Within the complex relationship between Beijing and Taipei, Kinmen holds a separate chapter. Its strategic location has made it a focal point of tension for over 75 years.
Chiang, like many Taiwanese, grew up hearing stories about Kinmen—tales of the communist bombings in the 1950s and the sacrifices made by young people, including his father, who left their families to serve in the military.
However, when he finally visited the islands for the first time in 2020, amidst the pandemic, he discovered that reality was quite different from what he had been told.
While many Kinmen residents advocate for closer ties with China as a means of averting conflict, Chiang’s documentary explores the nuances of the sentiment against a backdrop of historical trauma and geopolitical uncertainty.
He said people on the island feel like the archipelago “might be the safest place in Taiwan.”
“Some of the folks have actually mentioned that, which is a mind boggling idea. But there is a logic to that.” he said.
Chiang was born in Taiwan, spent much of his life in the United States, and did several jobs in China.
He metaphorically portrays his own journey through the lens of Kinmen—a child caught in the crossfire of competing interests, longing to be heard but ignored by those in power.
While the future remains uncertain, “Island in Between” prompts viewers to consider the human stories behind geopolitical tensions.
For Chiang, the ultimate goal is not just to win an Oscar but to foster a deeper understanding of Taiwan.
“What I would like to see happen is for people to really see Taiwan and then…feel connected to it and feel like they want to support it in whatever way they can.” EFE
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