2012
Copenhagen International Documentary Film Fes
入選
入選
Trying to become the ideal adult, only to realize that no matter your age, the fear of the unknown never truly fades? With limited life experience, we struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. We become parents, yet still carry the weight of our own upbringing. Here are five soul-nourishing cinematic “coming-of-age remedies” to help you rediscover your original self and strength—bring along your inner child and taste the essence of growth: Yi Yi, a Taiwanese New Wave masterpiece, reflects the quiet milestones of growing up. When dreams fall apart, All About Lily Chou-Chou captures the angst of disillusioned youth. Lost your way? Get gloriously drunk with Another Round, the Oscar-winning Danish hit. Feeling bound by your roots? Draw rebellious inspiration from Afghanistan’s maverick filmmaker in Nothingwood. And if loneliness creeps in, turn to the extraordinary lives of creators like Cheng Wen, Steve Jobs, Yayoi Kusama, and Agnès Varda. Sometimes, growing up isn’t about letting go of your inner child—but learning how to walk with them.
To document an extraordinary soul through the lens is to constantly wrestle with the dilemma of completeness. How can one capture the vastness of a life within the limited time of a film? It challenges the filmmaker’s depth of understanding and precision of perspective. Rather than striving for an all-encompassing portrait, it may be more powerful to focus on select moments—those glimmers that illuminate the subject’s essence. The camera becomes not only a tool to pierce through the surface, but also a means for sincere conversation with the person in front of it.
Why is it called "Touching the Essence of Humanity"? The phrase is actually drawn from a quote by Steve Jobs in The Lost Interview: “The key is to get in touch with the essence of what it means to be human—and then bring that into the work you do. I believe the reason the Macintosh succeeded is that the people who created it were musicians, poets, artists, zoologists, and historians—who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world. Had they not entered computer science, they would have excelled in their own fields. They brought a sense of humanity into the machine. That humanistic attitude allowed us to draw the best from other disciplines. You can’t do that if you’re narrow.” This film program centers on diversity—selecting classics across five different forms of cinema. Through this range, we aim to explore the roots of what makes a work “classic.” Diversity protects us from narrowness. The essence preserved in each field offers us a broader, more open-hearted way to expand the boundaries of life.
In psychology, divergent thinking refers to the ability to approach a problem by generating multiple possible solutions, rather than narrowing in on a single answer or getting stuck in a fixed mode of inquiry. Its opposite, convergent thinking, relies on existing knowledge and traditional patterns to arrive at a conventional conclusion. I love watching documentaries—especially those that explore issues far removed from everyday life. A good documentary, like a good book, condenses an enormous amount of insight into the span of a film. Through a director’s lens and structure, you come to know a person, a group, or an event, and gain valuable nourishment in the process. It’s an incredibly efficient form of learning. Thanks to the nature of the internet, learning today is no longer linear. It’s multidirectional, multidimensional—a practice of divergent thinking. As a well-known writer once said:"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." In a time where eclectic knowledge and self-learning have become the norm, a thirst for understanding and a passion for living mean we’re no longer limited to holding just two ideas —we hold many.
22 Inspiring Films to Watch with Kids – A Giloo Family Collection Giloo presents a heartwarming selection of 22 knowledge-rich and emotionally uplifting films perfect for the whole family. Whether your child is full of innocent curiosity or navigating the early stages of adolescence, these films offer moments of inspiration and meaningful lessons to grow with. From a hilarious couple’s wild farming adventure that teaches the importance of sustainability and green living, to the sacred ritual of relocating the Ise Grand Shrine that reveals the harmony between humans and nature, and a touching story of a boy devoted to gymnastics and his steadfast coach that embodies the spirit of perseverance—each film opens a window to learning through storytelling. Stay safe at home and keep learning alive with your kids—education doesn’t stop when school does!
The Future Makers Selection 2022 is now underway. We spoke to the jury about their vision of a “Future Maker”: Is it the kind of talent the world urgently needs? A bold change-maker? Or perhaps someone like Top Gun’s Maverick—fearless, unconventional, and unapologetically themselves? Every year, we search for emerging voices across Taiwan—young individuals who are reshaping what “success” means through their actions. If you're still searching for what a future leader might look like, the jurors have recommended a few films to broaden your horizons. May these stories inspire your youthful heart—and give you the courage to step into the vast world ahead.