Touch of the Light (Ni guang fei xiang)
Bader - ages 18+
Chang Rong-ji / Feature Narrative / Hong Kong, Taiwan / 2012 / 110 min / Colour / HDCAM
In Mandarin / Arabic, English subtitles
Interests: Drama, Music, Romance
Qatar Premiere
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
In Competition
Based upon the real-life story of blind Taiwanese piano prodigy Huang Yu-Siang (who, remarkably, both plays himself in the film and composed the film’s score), ‘Touch of the Light’ is a powerful inspirational story about determination and believing in oneself.
Director Chang Rong-ji's film, which is championed by legendary Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, tracks with great sensitivity the parallel lives of Siang, who leaves his rural home and family to attend university in the city; and Jie, a beautiful yet unhappy girl who dreams of becoming a dancer. Eventually, their storylines intersect; Siang and Jie become acquainted and inspire each other to pursue their dreams against all odds.
Winner of a number of international prizes, including the Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival, ‘Touch of the Light’ sets itself apart from similar tales of inspiration by displaying a keen eye for significant details and an unusual capacity for portraying intimate, tender moments with great authenticity – for example, in a beautiful scene of Siang and his mother parting ways, once he moves away from home, Siang insists on caring for her by giving her a neck massage, although she is meant to be looking after him.
Witnessing Siang and Jie’s auditions in their quest to fulfill their dreams, it is impossible not to root for them – and not to be moved by this gentle, delicate film.
About the Directors
Born in Taipei in 1980, Chang Jung-Chi received a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Applied Media Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts. In 2006, his My Football Summer won the Best Documentary Award at the Golden Horse Awards and in 2008, The End of the Tunnel, his graduation film, won the Best Short Film Award at Taipei Film Festival. That year it was also nominated for the Best Short Film at the Golden Horse Film Awards. In 2011 he directed the "concept film" MAYDAY 3DNA which intertwines three fictional stories with scenes from the DNA concert tour of famous rock band Mayday in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.
Credits
- Director
- Chang Rong-ji
- Screenwriter
- Li Nien-hsiu
- Producer
- Hong Tat Cheung, Jacky Pang Yee Wah
- Editor
- Li Nien-hsiu
- Music
- Wen Tzu-chieh, Huang Yu-siang
- Cinematographer
- Dylan Doyle
- Sales Company
- Fortissimo
- Production Company
- Jet Tone Films
- Cast
- Huang Yu,Sandrine Pinna, Chang Yung-yung,Lee Lieh, Sheu Fang-Yi