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COVID-19疫情爆發後，《人類簡史》三部曲作者、以色列歷史學者哈拉瑞撰文提出他的擔憂。此次疫情殘酷地曝露出早已存在人類社會的各種問題，一如《微物之神》作者阿蘭達蒂．洛伊（Arundhati Roy）所形容的，疫情照亮了本來被遮蔽之物。當商店、餐廳、工廠和建築工地關閉，富人和中產階級將自己隔離在他們的安居之所時，城鎮開始擠壓出其中的勞動和底層階級，移工、難民首當其衝。此外，疫情亦明顯曝露出，全球最大的公共衛生治理機構世界衛生組織（WHO），在面對COVID-19此類全球大流行的疫情時，無法協助會員國及早建立應變機制的失能狀態⋯⋯
In December 2019, a large-scale outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. Within just a few months, the virus rapidly spread across the globe, with the number of infections and deaths climbing relentlessly. As of today, over 150 million people worldwide have been infected, and more than 3.3 million lives have been lost. How did this pandemic begin? And more importantly—can humanity learn from it to prevent history from repeating itself?
The "Two Covenants" refer to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which have been in effect in Taiwan for over a decade. At their core, both covenants aim to protect human rights. But what exactly are human rights? And what rights do these two covenants cover? The answers are far too complex for a quick explanation—so why not start with a film? The right to life, children's rights, environmental rights, freedom of assembly, rights of the elderly… The scope of the Two Covenants is as diverse as this film program itself. By watching any of the featured films and filling out a short questionnaire afterward, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the human rights principles within the covenants—and you’ll also have a chance to enter our prize draw! Let’s begin this journey together— and explore the many dimensions of what human rights truly look like.
The word “Take Off” carries dozens of meanings—departure, revelation, flight, transformation. Depending on context, it shifts and expands, just like life itself, which rarely conforms to a single shape. We’ve selected ten films, each capturing a different form of transformation. Some tell stories of letting go—of setting off alone on a pilgrimage or retreating into the solitude of the forest. Others follow companions on creative journeys, documenting their explorations along the way. Some films bring us back to the uncertainty of a world shaken by a virus—where vaccines and rapid tests posed impossible questions, and the path forward in a post-pandemic world came without instructions. In these moments, a bit of fantasy in the everyday—or a drink-fueled moment of self-reflection—might just offer clarity. And the journey of transformation doesn’t end with life itself. What do we leave behind? What do we carry with us? Eventually, we arrive at heaven’s door—and perhaps, rebirth.