Typhoon Morakot disaster serves as film backdrop; "Boar Hot Spring" screened for locals before release

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive report

The film "Boar Hot Spring," directed by Golden Horse Award-winning documentary director Ko Chen-ti, held a special advance screening on March 15 at the audiovisual room of the Liouguei Baolai Visitor Center, allowing local residents to enjoy an early look as a token of gratitude to the community members who offered support and participated in the filming.


▲ Actress Lu Yi-ching delivers a compelling performance, enriched by her life experiences. (Photo / Good Film)

Directed by Golden Horse Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ko Chen-ti, "Boar Hot Spring" was shot in areas such as Baolai, Bulao, and Qishan in Kaohsiung City. The story is set against the backdrop of post-Typhoon Morakot reconstruction, with the resilience of the characters embodying the indomitable spirit of wild boars. Each individual story becomes an outlet for life, serving as a farewell to the past and a step toward the future.

Since most of the scenes were filmed in the Baolai and Bulao areas, with strong support and assistance from local residents, including community members who took part in the acting, a deep bond was formed between the cast and crew. As Baolai in Liouguei is quite far from the city center, many locals requested a special screening in Baolai so they could be among the first to see the film. In response, Huachianshu Film Company, the producer of "Boar Hot Spring," held a "Boar Hot Spring Baolai Special Screening" on March 15 at the audiovisual room of the Baolai Visitor Center in Maolin National Scenic Area, managed by the Tourism Bureau, to show their appreciation to the local community.


▲ Actor Tsai Chen-nan plays a hunter in "Boar Hot Spring." (Photo / Good Film)

To promote Baolai’s tourist attractions alongside the film’s release, the Maolin National Scenic Area Administration and the Liouguei Baolai Reconstruction Association jointly organized a "Paint the Boar" event. The prop boar created by ceramic artist Teacher Li Huai-chin in the film will "appear" at 9 a.m. on March 15 at the Old Tree Plaza of the Baolai Visitor Center, serving as a canvas for students from Baolai Elementary School and Baolai Junior High School to freely paint. Later, Paiwan artist Bahunan Jilam will integrate the collective visual creations into a single installation artwork.

The collaborative art piece will be relocated to the Eslite Department Store plaza in Kaohsiung on March 19 for a one-day display during the film’s Kaohsiung premiere, before returning to the Old Tree Plaza of the Baolai Visitor Center. It will be exhibited alongside a special movie exhibition in the visitor center’s story hall, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of Baolai’s tourist spots, culture, and local industries all in one place.