Mei greets her dad as he rises from the sea in the moving film “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti”. (Cannot Live without You) can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

[For My Delicate Rose, I’ve seen her in your work before. I see her in you.]

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Father and daughter look out at sea. Mei (Chao Yo Hsuan) an adorable 6 year old asks, “In school can they teach me how to swim?” Liu (Chen Wen Pin) says kindly, “I don’t know, why do you ask?” She replies, “Because you stay in the water for such a long time I’d like to join you.” He often sees her silhouette from the depths. And her happy face greets him whenever he surfaces. He also asks, “When I dive why do you look down?” Mei answers in the honesty of a child, “I keep on looking and looking and looking until I see you again.”

Mei greets her dad as he rises from the sea in the moving film “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti”. (Cannot Live without You) can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

from left Shangri-la Mktg. Div Head Marline Concio-Dualan and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Press Div. Head Dr. Wellington Wei are interviewed by the TV5 news crew. Photo was taken at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-la Plaza during the Taiwan Film fest 2011 Presscon. The fest will be held from October 21-26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

This award winning Taiwanese film has a Spanish title: “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti”. “Cannot Live without You” is a touching tale of a paternal bond that is intruded upon by governmental support system. The film is part of the Taiwan Film Festival at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-LaPlaza which will run from October 21-26, 2011.

According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Press Div. Head Dr. Wellington Wei, “The film fest is also part ofTaiwan’s centennial National Day which was held last October 10.” The film fest will open with “Pinoy Sunday” by Taiwanese director Wing Din Ho starring our very own Epi Quizon and Bayani Agbayani. Their film is about two OFWs effort at delivering a sofa to their apartment that the travails of friendship that ensue.

from left: Chen Wen Pin plays dad and daughter is Chao Yo Hsuan in the moving film “Cannot Live Without You” at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011

In “No Puedo..”, Liu Wu Hsing is a laborer who takes nearly all kinds of jobs in the docks which includes diving with faulty equipment to repair ships underwater. The dangers are comparable to Muro Ami fishermen here in thePhilippineswho go to incredible depths without scuba gear.  Mei’s mother Chang Ming Hsui abandoned them years ago so she is very attached to her father. They have a meager existence living in an abandoned warehouse on a pier. But it is not without simple joys. A cop who found them in their ‘home’ said that their view of the sea is that of an expensive villa. They catch and cook fresh crabs right underneath their house.

Chao Yo Hsuan plays Mei in the moving film “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” (Cannot Live Without You) at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

Their world is shattered when a government agency requires Liu to register Mei so she can attend school. Liu who lived with Mei’s mother for two years never got married.

When Liu goes to the agency he is again hurt with the discovery that Chang was married to someone else, eleven years earlier. The Department of Household Registration could not and does not recognize Liu as her father until Chang specifically states that he is Mei’s father. Since she has abandoned them no one can contact her leaving father and daughter in very dire straits.

Windmills in Taiwan are reminiscent of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” (Cannot Live Without You) can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

The setting of Kaoshiung is a port city in the south of Taiwan, just north of our Batanes Islands. The landscape, weather and even fruits are very similar to the Philippines. In a motorcycle ride, huge power generating windmills are in the background similar to the ones we have in Ilocos Norte. The two also pick mangoes off trees at the roadside.

Life can’t be more tragically real because it is based on a true story. Actor Chen Wen Pin read of a news article about a man in a hostage situation. Media reported that the man kidnapped the child. Chen made a deeper research into the subject and found out the true circumstances of the events that took place. He co wrote the screenplay with director Leon Dai.  Chen also took on the role of Liu.

Liu’s Best friend Ah Tsai is played by Lin Chih Ju. “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” (Cannot Live Without You) can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

Their efforts were rewarded with the Golden Horse award for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film and Outstanding Taiwanese film of the Year. Awards from international fests include the Taipei Film Festival, Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, 30th Durban International Film Festival and the Alba International Film Festival. It was also the official Taiwanese entry to the Oscars (82^nd Academy Awards) in the Best Foreign Film category. “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” on the other hand has recently been announced as the Philippines’ official entry to the 84^th Academy awards.

poster w Chinese title Bù Néng Méiyǒu Nǐ (NO Life without you)can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

The very tense stand off with authorities is reminiscent of “Falling Down” by Joel Schumacher which also shows societal ills and frustrations of the common man. The black and white treatment is similar to Adolf Alix’s “Chassis” starring Jodie Sta. Maria. Both “Chassis” and “No Puedo..”  deal with single parenthood and poverty.

The film also makes a commentary on the coverage of Taiwanese media. “No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” (Cannot Live without You) can be seen at the Taiwanese Film fest at Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza which will run from Oct. 21-25, 2011.

Dai’s film however bares a lot more issues; the frustration with bureaucratic red tape is not the only gripe that can be seen. Out of desperation Liu turns to a TV news crew who shoos him away saying that they only cover politics. Later on during the hostage drama the same news crew yells out trying to interview him to get a sound byte. Media is also made accountable for the preferential treatment of sensational news items.

This film is for anyone who feels like they’ve been trampled by the system. Although the subject is heavy drama the message is one of hope and can even be inspiring. It can be one of the most heart rending stories you may come across. And yet in spite of all the hardships and difficulties, it is the bond of family that will help see you through.

from right: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Press Div. Head Dr. Wellington Wei, Shangri-la Plaza Mktg. Officer Mimi Tecson, TECO Press Asst. Abby Moreno, Shangri-la Mktg. Div Head Marline Concio-Dualan, Shangri-la Mktg officer MJ Mendoza and TECO Sr. Press Officer Peter Huang. Photo was taken at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-la Plaza during the Taiwan Film fest 2011 Presscon. The fest will be held from October 21-26, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista