2015
很多年前，聽搖滾樂還沒有太久的時候，我曾去過一次北京城郊的樹村。那是外省年輕樂隊的聚集地，在圓明園北邊，從長安大街打車，師傅開了一個多小時才停下來，周圍都是平房，依稀還有幾塊田，剛鋪好的水泥路上揚著
Music and sound may seem fleeting, yet they leave lasting impressions in the hearts of listeners—sometimes even becoming songs passed down through time. Beyond sensory pleasure, the act of creating sound often carries a message shaped by a specific social context. Whether it is to resist mediocrity or to resonate with the land of daily life, sound conveys cultural memory and helps bring individuals together.
Rock isn’t just a genre—it’s a culture, a way of life. Some may seem bizarre or outrageous, but they’re actually artistic geniuses. Some pioneered new sounds that shaped generations. Some wielded the pen like a sword, turning rock into a cultural force. Some stood tall against oppressive regimes, refusing to unclench their fists. Giloo presents 11 essential rock documentaries. So if anyone ever asks you what rock is, just tell them: watch these films. Don’t ask me what rock means—feel it.
Behind the Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive rhetoric and military intimidation toward the free world lies a darker truth—one that is hidden beneath the polished image of national “rise” under Xi Jinping’s leadership. In this heavily surveilled state behind a modern-day iron curtain, the people themselves have become mere stepping stones in the dictator’s grand imperial fantasy. It’s not only the marginalized who are oppressed, but anyone who dares to long for their inalienable rights—for freedom, dignity, and truth. Giloo presents a selection of independent documentaries from China, guiding you into a reality both dazzling and dark. Inside the borders built by walls, beware the quiet yearning of the soul—for freedom cannot be killed, only contained.
In today’s world, is mutual understanding still possible? When authoritarianism resurges, power is concentrated in the hands of corporate giants, and fake news floods every channel, even basic communication between people has become a daunting challenge. The team at Chichi’s Notes believes that the desire to communicate stems from our human longing to understand the unknown. As long as we stay curious and refuse to accept a black-and-white view of the world, meaningful dialogue remains possible. This online film program begins with the theme of fake news and self-media, inviting viewers to reflect on how media shapes public perception. Through the lens of documentary, we question what we take for granted and challenge our assumptions—listening to the confessions of dictators and digital nationalists, exploring the resistance of cults and subcultures, and blurring the line between criminality and creativity. We hope these films offer glimpses into our shared struggles and desires—and open up new spaces for mutual understanding in a world that feels increasingly divided.
Music is the voice of a generation’s thoughts. For the singers who give voice to stories, dreams and resistance are etched into every lyric. Independent bands have forged raw energy from hardship, using sharp, unrelenting melodies to challenge and disrupt the dominance of mainstream music in Taiwan. Giloo presents a selection of documentaries spotlighting the independent music scenes of Taiwan and China—tracing how underground bands rose from the margins to reach wider audiences, and how their songs gave voice to grassroots struggles, shaking the system with sound.
During Taiwan’s Level 3 Alert, the idea of a “normal life” felt impossibly distant. While many responded with anxiety, fear, and blame, others quietly held onto their values and beliefs—trying to preserve what it means to be a “normal person.” This curated selection features five films from China, the United States, the former Soviet Union, Hong Kong, and Taiwan—each portraying a life caught between individual freedom and overwhelming systems: totalitarian regimes or capitalist monopolies. Some are artists, some are not. Some succeed, others don’t. Most drift through a world where “success” has no real meaning. And yet, despite immense, shadowy powers and marginal existences, it is the modest desire to live as a “normal person” that sustains our will to move forward. In the end, mutual understanding remains our greatest force of momentum.