Made in Taiwan opened at London’s Garden Cinema on 24 October. Its coming programme brings a visit by cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-bing, a retrospective of his work and expert introductions. The Ministry of Culture’s 29 October release gives 6 December as the end date, while the cinema’s current programme lists screenings through 15 December. Visitors should use each official booking page for dates, sessions and live availability. The release date should not be mistaken for opening night.
The season opened with a digital restoration of Yang Li-kuo’s The Dull Ice Flower. According to the ministry, the cinema added a second auditorium, both screenings sold out and more than 90 percent of ticket holders attended despite the weather. Supplied photographs show red seats, a pre-screening introduction and conversations in the bar. They document 24 October, not the forthcoming Lee appearances; a photograph taken before a screening cannot establish final attendance.
Audience members gather in the Garden Cinema bar during the 24 October launch.
A retrospective is not an appearance at every screening
One route through the season follows Lee’s cinematography across different visual approaches. The Time to Live and the Time to Die, Millennium Mambo, The Assassin, Flowers of Shanghai and Flight of the Red Balloon offer different periods, settings and narrative rhythms within Hou Hsiao-hsien’s work. Comparing several films can bring relationships between light, people and space into focus. A cinematographer retrospective does not mean he attends every screening.
The cinema currently lists in-person Q&As with Lee after The Assassin at 17:30 on 2 December and Flowers of Shanghai at 17:30 on 4 December. He is also scheduled to attend The Dull Ice Flower at 16:30 on 5 December. All three were marked sold out when checked on 29 October; tickets cannot be promised. A separate masterclass at King’s College London is scheduled for 3 December, with registration conditions and remaining places to be checked on its organiser’s page. All times here are local to London.
More routes through Taiwanese cinema
Wang Toon’s Strawman, Banana Paradise and Hill of No Return provide another viewing route, placing ordinary lives in different historical periods alongside one another. The selection also spans Taiwanese-language Dangerous Youth, animation Grandma and Her Ghosts, documentary Le Moulin and Halloween choice Double Vision. Huang Ya-li’s Le Moulin discussion is online, while James Mudge’s introduction to the 31 October Double Vision screening is on video. Online discussion, recorded introductions and personal attendance are different formats.
Taiwanese flavours accompanied the launch beyond the screen. Kung Fu Mama supplied noodles, gua bao and mango ice for the members’ event, while the bar is offering papaya milk and Taiwan Beer Gold Medal for a limited period. The supplied photograph of a hand-painted drinks board and season brochures shows food and drink as another way into conversation. The launch meal belonged to an event that has already taken place; it does not establish that every screening includes food or that drinks are included in an ordinary ticket.
A hand-painted drinks board and season brochures; drinks are sold for a limited period.
Check the later December listings before booking
The Garden Cinema is at 39–41 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PQ. Anyone primarily interested in films can check the later listings for The Dull Ice Flower on 12 and 15 December and Taipei Story on 14 December, then consult individual booking pages. The absence of a sold-out label is not a guarantee of seats. Planning around titles and the format of each discussion, then rechecking versions, ratings, times and booking details before travelling, is more useful than relying on one closing date.
