The island of Kinmen is a small island with a potentially big problem. Situated just off the coast of China, but part of Taiwan, Kinmen would likely be the first line of defense should the Chinese government decide to invade Taiwan. Emmy-nominated director S. Leo Chiang, who was born in Taiwan, worked in China and also lived for years in the U.S., explores the complex relationship between place, identity and politics in his insightful and masterfully crafted documentary short “Island in Between”.
Joining Ken on the pod, Leo and producer Jean Tsien delve into the backstory of Kinmen — a flashpoint between Taiwan, China and the U.S. going back to the Chinese Civil War —and its present day role as a tourist spot, military base and home to thousands of people who live betwixt and between. Leo and Jean also illuminate how their personal backstories of growing up in Taiwan informed the making of the film and what makes their creative partnership so special.
“Island in Between” has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Short. It can be streamed on The New York Times Op-Docs site.
The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
Follow:
@SLeoChiang on Instagram and twitter
@topdocspod on Instagram and twitter
”No Straight Lines” with Vivian Kleiman
Oscar Shortlist Breakdown with Anne Thompson
”Fiddler‘s Journey to the Big Screen” with Daniel Raim
”President” with Camilla Nielsson
Anatomy of a Scene: ”Try Harder!”
”The Rescue” with Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin
”My Name is Pauli Murray” with Julie Cohen & Betsy West
”Try Harder!” with Debbie Lum
Anatomy of a Scene from ”Rebel Hearts” with Pedro Kos
”Flee” with Jonas Poher Rasmussen
”Procession” with Robert Greene
”The First Wave” with Matthew Heineman
”A Cop Movie” with Alonso Ruizpalacios
”Faya Dayi” with Jessica Beshir
”Simple as Water” with Megan Mylan
”Storm Lake” with Beth Levison
”Attica” with Stanley Nelson
”Allen v. Farrow” with Amy Ziering & Kirby Dick
”Rebel Hearts” with Pedro Kos
”The Bee Gees” with Mark Monroe
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Cinema: A to B
I Finally Watched...
Star Wars Escape Pod
Pod Meets World
Kill James Bond!