[翻譯/Translation] 國際宣傳 Content Marketing Blitz｜電影企劃 Proposal ｜兩岸關係 Strait Relation｜議題介紹 Issue Direct｜

 Break Out: The Last Stand in Taiwan Strait Wars

 

 

I.               Synopsis

The war between Taiwan and China is about to be concluded. A group of Taiwanese guerrilla fighters swore to fight to the bitter end. In the night before their last stand, the fighters confide their secrets to each other. To their surprise, everyone seems to have been a Chinese collaborator at a certain point of their lives. Ten episodes, with ten stories of confession and repentance. 

 

Keywords: religion, media, politics, technology, finance, entertainment, internet, agriculture, education

 

Category	TV Series
Scale	10 episodes, 60 mins. each (including opening titles and ads)
Genre	War, political drama, espionage
Estimated production period	Fourth quarter of 2023
Language	Mandarin, English
Country of origin	Taiwan
International streaming platform (tentative)	NETFLIX, HBO GO
Domestic streaming platform (tentative)	Public Television Service, Formosa TV, MOD
Budget	US$3.3 million

 

II.             Concept and Context

 

From military drills to air defense zone transgressions, China’s intention to invade Taiwan has never been so blatant. From a political point of view, Taiwan and China are in constant confrontation. However, in terms of economy and culture, the two states have been in close contact with each other, leaving Taiwan vulnerable to Chinese infiltration. While hot war looms in the background, information warfare has been a concrete and perpetual threat to Taiwan. For a long time, cinema and television in Taiwan have not produced any work that directly confronts the issue of “Red Infiltration.” This is undoubtedly the ramification of Red Infiltration.

For most people, even native Taiwanese, the historical and politico-economic entanglements between Taiwan and China have been a puzzling subject. At this critical moment, Taiwan is in urgent need to raise a firm voice and explicate its situation to the world. This anthology series will be written and directed by ten respective Taiwanese filmmakers, each approaching different aspects of Taiwanese society with her or his unique perspective. We aim to raise awareness of Red Infiltration through audio-visual media and to consolidate a united front among Taiwan and democracies around the globe.

 

III.           Theme

 

As tension between the US and China rises, Taiwan’s strategic significance as military strongpoint is more prominent than ever. The island nation on the pacific rim has unclean severance with China, and at the same time a close relationship with the United States since the Cold War. Situated in the eye of the storm, how should Taiwan survive the clash of two superpowers? How will Taiwanese people keep their dignity and integrity in the face of coercion and temptation? Break Out will be delving into the human condition in such precarious times.

 

IV.           Outline

 

The sea surface refracts sunlight into a myriad of diamonds. Morning fog permeates the Sacred Woods of Alishan Range. Life seems so tranquil and pleasant on Formosa. However, if we take a closer look at the urban areas of this island, we shall witness the ravages and cruelty of war. The war between Taiwan and China broke out three years ago. Despite sabotaging most infrastructures in Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army did not take over the island as they expected. The Taiwanese Resistance is still going strong, with militias swore to fight to the bitter end.

Modern facilities are now a scarcity. Electricity, water supply, internet access, telecommunication, public transportation, highways and railroads, almost all infrastructures are obliterated. The only area left intact is the Hsinchu Science Park, the economic cluster of computer chip manufacturers. Under Chinese occupation, the wafer foundries in Hsinchu provide CCP with a strategic edge and abundant foreign exchange reserves. Ostensibly, the science park operates as if the war never happened; in actuality, all engineers are under close surveillance, treated as concentration camp prisoners.

The high-handedness of CCP propels Taiwanese people to rise and defend their homeland. Guerrilla warfare sprawls across the whole island. The guerrillas based along Zhuoshui River have been in active combat with People’s Liberation Army for two months, and they now retreat to the foot of Alishan Range. Surrounded by enemy forces, the guerrillas decide to fulfil their duty and take the last stand in a desolate village. 

As the final battle impends, a dozen of guerrilla fighters come together in the trench. The sound of gunfire approaches. Some fighters tremble with fear, some exude unfathomable courage, some repent in agony, some rue in tears, and some wish to see their loved ones for one last time. Before darkness arrives, 26-year-old Chang Chia-hao breaks down. He asks his fellow fighter Hsu Tien-en, a former pastor, “Those who confess their sins go to heaven after death, and repentance is never too late, right?” The pastor draws out a bloody miniature Bible from his pocket, removes the cross from his neck, and starts praying as if it’s just another day on Formosa.

 

V.             Characters

 

Chang Chia-hao

Chang is 26 years old, a former member of a temple. Chang was raised by his grandma, as his parents had both passed away. Growing up without much care and financial support, Chang joined a gang in search of a sense of belonging. As he turned 15, he had already committed theft and substance abuse. His grandma had no choice but to entrust him to a Taoist temple, making him a member of a Ba-Jia-Jiang group. The temple became Chang’s true home, and the temple host were like a father to him. 

With funding from Chinese government, the small temple quickly turned into a grand organization. Chang became a board member of the temple, leading a gracious life. The windfall improved Chang’s living conditions, yet also lured him to a dark situation.

 

Wang Chih-shun

At the age of 40, Wang became unemployed. The media group he used to work for went out of business as the tidal wave of digitalization struck. Once a respected news editor, Wang became a failure in the job market, and was even reduced to a part-timer at a convenient store.

He made his comeback as TV channel TBB appointed him as news director. Haunted by previous experiences, Wang became an ambitious person, and was willing to get to the top ranks of TBB by any means necessary. He catered to every order of his superiors, regardless of ethical constraints. As he fabricated more and more disinformation, he became a pawn of Red Infiltration.

 

Lin Meng-chieh

Ling is 35 years old, a former reporter turned legislative assistant. He became disillusioned with the political world as he witnessed the hypocrisy of politicians. Just as he was lost, his parents’ business in China encountered great challenges and needed a helping hand. Persuaded by his parents, Lin became a Chinese spy in the Taiwan parliament. He thought that the information he gave away was of no importance, but eventually experienced the consequences of his crimes.

 

Chen Chun-kai

Chen is 35 years old, a stereotypical Taiwanese male in the STEM field. He was a diligent breadwinner and was apathetical about politics. He worked 15 hours a day, and indulged in video games and stock trading in his free time.

Chen’s plan was to work till 45 and retire with a yacht. As housing prices, everyday expenses and tuition fees surge, his dreams became more and more unattainable. Thus, when a Chinese headhunter offered Chen a lucrative position, he saw it as a shortcut to his ideal life. To Chen’s surprise, the offer was a deal with the devil, a bait for extracting trade secrets.

 

Wang Tao-ming 

Wang is a 55-year-old Taiwanese businessman. As avarice, he lives the motto of “the merchant has no country” and landed in China for his business outlook in the 90s. Wang followed the investment policy in Taiwan and expanded his business empire back in his nation. But the super-rich man conspired more that would shake Taiwan’s banking system. Since Taiwan’s banking system permitted low rates and bank loans, Wang targeted it to transfer capital from Taiwan to China.

 

Wu Tung-jen 

Wu is a 40-year-old mediocre film director. He aspired to fame and wealth by pursuing art. Swept by the economic slump in Taiwan, Wu decided to go “westward” to China from Taiwan. He is a sweet talker, thus he raised incredible funding. The big win later became a solid foundation for his production company in Taiwan. Yet, the generous funding he granted back to Taiwan has its political stain with Chinese unification. The funding was used to devoice more Taiwanese directors and screenwriters.

 

Tu Hsiao-jo

Tu is a 20-year-old top hacker. She is an expert in computer science and was promoted to IT manager at a very young age. What had been under the table was that she had a swoony romance with the lady of the Chairman. The lingering feelings drove Tu to work harder. But, at the same time, the dark truth shocked Tu. She found that the project she had been working on was the gateway for China to cyber-attack on Taiwan.

 

Chiang Mao-chang 

Chiang is a 32-year-old manager in Agricultural Production and Marketing Group. Hoping to secure the farmers’ income, Chiang found China a competitive market and reached out to it. The royal road he thought he built for Taiwanese farmers seemed promising. But he later discovered that the China Communist Party only placed a huge order if the farmers elected the “right” candidates in Taiwan. Chiang and the farmers faced a difficult decision: whether they risk political autonomy for their financial security.

 

Chiang Ching-wen

Chiang is a 35-year-old high school teacher who loved his career path. Chiang agreed with the Chinese policy that recruited Taiwanese to study abroad. He simply interpreted the propaganda as an educational opportunity. But the hasty decision had consequences. The students later became loyal members of the People's Liberation Army in China. They had their hard bite on the dedicated teacher.  

 

Hsu Tien-en

Hsu is a 55-year-old priest, who aspired to impact more audiences to gain profit from Christians. Hsu had tapped into the religious world of China, established churches for Taiwanese businesspeople, and made the devoted rich people profound support for his ambition. Later, the China government recruited the calculating priest as a secret agent. Hsu claimed to be the leader of Taiwan’s identity and incited the churchgoers to riot against the People's Liberation Army. But China agents eavesdropped on every thread of the outrage political opinion. The spy with leadership charisma had betrayed his people.

 

VI.           Production Strategy

 

Break Out is an anthology series to explore the “Red Infiltration” in Taiwan by China Communists. Ten Taiwanese directors work on various themes, such as economics, politics, religion, media, and the internet.

 

VII.         Unique Selling Point: War, Politics, Power, and Espionage.

 

Break Out is the first series that positions with an in-depth discussion about China-Taiwan relations, Taiwan Strait War, and Red Infiltration. The ground-breaking work opens the possibility of Taiwan's political drama. Moreover, Break Out is expected to attract the international market. The focus works include other top trending issue-focused anthology series, such as Black Mirror, Love Death + Robots, and BloodRide.

 

VIII.       Film Production Team

 

The film production team is professional, experienced, and internationally recognized by film and series awards.

 

Position	Short Bio
Producer/Screenplay Supervisor Cheng Hsin-mei	Cheng Hsin-mei is a Taiwanese director. After graduating with a Master of Cultural Politics from the University of East Anglia, she demonstrated her sharp observation and critical thinking on society in Taiwanese narration. Her best works include the 2020 Golden Bell Awards Best Writing Nomination The Mirror, and 2019 Best Miniseries The Coming Through.
Director Supervisor Cheng Wen-tang	Cheng Wen-tang is an awarded Taiwanese independent director and producer. His best works include the 2019 Golden Bell Awards Best Miniseries The Coming Through, 2016 The Best of Youth, and 2002 Venice International Film Critics’ Week Winner Somewhere Over the Dreamland.
Producer Supervisor Lin Shih-ken	Lin Shih-ken is a Taiwanese film producer. His best works include the 2022 Golden Horse Awards Best Narrative FeatureCoo-Coo 043, 2022 Busan International Film Festival Nomination Little Blue, 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival Dragons&Tigers Awards Boluomi, and 2016 CinemAsia Film Festival Best Film Zinnia Flower.
Director Lien I-chi	Lien I-chi is a Taiwanese director. His best works include the 2021 Netflix series Light the Night, 2018 Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival Ending Film Let's Cheat Together, and 2011 Tokyo International Film Festival The Winds Of Asia Nomination Make Up.
Director Fan Yang-chung	Fan Yang-chung is a Taiwanese series director. His best works include 2021 Leave Me Alone; 2013 Golden Bell Awards Best Miniseries, Best Directing, and Best Writing The Will to Power.
Director Liao Shih-han	Liao Shih-han is a Taiwanese series director. His best works include the 2021 series Who Killed the Good Man, and 2017Seoul International Drama Awards Jury's Special Prize We Are One.
Director Lo Ching-jen	Lo Ching-jen is a Taiwanese advertisement director. Lo has directed 1,500+ video advertisements and is an internationally recognized winner of the Cannes Lions, London International Awards, and New York Festivals Advertising Awards.
Director Lin Chih-ju	Lin Chih-ju is a Taiwanese series director and actor. His best works include the 2021 series The Arc of Life, and 2020 Golden Bell Awards Best Directing and Best Miniseries Dear Orange.
Director Su I-hsuan	Su I-hsuan is a Taiwanese director. Su graduated from the director program at Le Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français. Her best works include the 2020 PTS series Detention, 2018 Produire au Sud and Talents Tokyo Nomination Who’ll Stop the Rain, and 2017 Golden Bells Awards Best Miniseries Where the Sun Don’t Shine.
Director Hung Tzu-peng	Hung Tzu-peng is a Taiwanese director. His best works include the filmmaking of Circle of Noose and Possession, and the series making of The Fearless and Rainless Love in a Godless Land.