In an exciting development for cinema enthusiasts, renowned director Tsai Ming-liang is set to create and debut the latest installment of his acclaimed “Walker” series at the 29th Ji.hlava Film Festival, scheduled from October 24 to November 2. This marks a significant event in the film world, as Ji.hlava continues to celebrate groundbreaking cinema and innovative storytelling techniques.
Renowned filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang, originally from Malaysia and now a prominent figure in Taiwanese cinema, gained global recognition when he won the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice for “Vive L’Amour.” Adding to his accolades, he was honored with the Special Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 1997 for “The River,” and received both the Berlin Silver Bear and the Alfred Bauer Prize in 2005 for “The Wayward Cloud.” His celebrated works, including “The Hole” (1998), “What Time Is It There?” (2001), and “Face” (2009), have also competed at the Cannes Film Festival, further underscoring his impact on international cinema.
Continuing his relationship with the festival, Tsai Ming-liang was recognized last year with Ji.hlava’s award for his substantial contribution to the film industry. Marek Hovorka, Ji.hlava’s director, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted that [Tsai’s] visit to last year’s festival inspired him to shoot a film for his acclaimed series. It is a great honor for Ji.hlava as a festival and for the Czech Republic, which will thus join Hong Kong, Malaysia, France, and the USA, where [he] shot the previous parts.”
The latest “Walker” film will be produced in collaboration with students from Prague’s renowned film school, FAMU. These students, participating in a unique mentoring program, will work in key roles during the production. Post-production will be handled at FAMU Studio, and the completed film will premiere at Ji.hlava on November 1. This project will receive financial backing from the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture, showcasing international support for this cinematic endeavor.
The “Walker” series, launched in 2012, features the meditative presence of Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng as a monk traversing urban landscapes at an unnervingly slow pace. This deliberate motion forms a contemplative juxtaposition between timeless spiritual practices and the rush of modern life. Hovorka captures the essence of the series, stating, “The films from the ‘Walker’ series are a call to slow down, to stop, to change our perception. They are the antithesis of today’s digital civilization.”
This upcoming release reaffirms the significance of the Ji.hlava Film Festival as a platform for pioneering projects and reaffirms Tsai Ming-liang’s status as a visionary force in global cinema.
