Photo of the Film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale is an epic film, for which Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng has made delicate preparations for 12 years. Based on Wushe Incident in central Taiwan in 1930s, this film tells a story of Seediq people fighting against Japanese invaders. Whether in production scale, level and artistry, this film far excels others in Chinese film circle. However, due to insufficient publicity, in the first two weeks of its show in the mainland, the film witnessed an unexpected Waterloo and unsatisfactory result. Fortunately, some movie fans and professional critics made their efforts to recommend this film to everyone they know as soon as they get out of the cinema. Thanks to micro blog of the Internet and Wanda cinema lines that help add show occasions, such an ambitious film finally gained the reward and respect that it totally deserves. In retrospect of what has happened inside and outside the cinema, it is really a tragic but heroic film. Giving a second thought, we can conclude some lesson out of this phenomenon though we have to admit the reality that such a combo production has to face a tragic box office. As a saying goes, “Don’t stride too fast, or your spirit will fall behind”. At least, we have harvested some priceless reflections on Chinese film industry.

Photo of the Film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale

Quite a few films are about the primitive tribes or ethnic groups who were subjected to modern enemies’ invasion and extinction such as Avatar and Dance with the Wolves. With similar theme and good quality, those three films have their respective advantages in artistry. Avatar absorbs audience and box office with magnificent scenery and shocking 3D effects and Dance with the Wolves held the audience spellbound with aesthetic and full-length shots, while Seediq Bale, along with epic structure and tragic tone, brought me to feel misery, grievance and regret, respect life and faith and ponder over barbarism and civilization.

Photo of the Film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale 

Though Wushe Incident, like a dust, was already invisible in the long river of history, the Seediq people’s perseverance, bravery, optimism and pride provide a new definition of human being.

Photo of the Film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale 

A good film is always a carrier of various arts, and many parts of this film such as typical characters and society, music, costumes and cultural connotation are worth appreciation. A good film will also arouse the string at your heart, bringing joy, tears or profound thinking. As far as I am concerned, Seediq Bale is the latter that make us reconsiderate the significance of life and redefine barbarism and civilization in the name of faith. Among different religions, respect is a must and never try to change others with your so-called standard. This is the prerequisite for advocating humanitarianism.