By the MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team

The documentary "A Journey with a Mission," directed by Lin Cheng-sheng, winner of the Best Director Award at the Berlin Film Festival, sparked widespread acclaim after the official release of its trailer on the film’s website on September 17. In just two and a half minutes, the teaser showcases the missions of six young travelers from Taiwan as they embark on journeys to six countries around the world. This is Taiwan’s first documentary spanning five continents and nine countries, documenting the journeys of Taiwanese youth as they explore themselves and the world—inspiring young people to venture from Taiwan to the world, and then bring the world back to Taiwan. The film held its premiere at Taipei Arena on October 28 and was released nationwide on October 30. To secure a spot at the premiere, please visit the Scenic Spots Family Facebook fan page.

"A Journey with a Mission" follows six Taiwanese youths, each with their own unique traits and backgrounds, who heed the call of distant lands and journey alone to Japan, Malawi, France, Fiji, the Netherlands, and Madagascar. It is a voyage of exploring the unknown while also listening to the voice within. Director Lin Cheng-sheng tracked the travelers across various countries, boldly employing a fragmented narrative style that frequently cuts between nations. Lin believes the six travelers in the film are not the most outstanding or extraordinary—they are just like all young Taiwanese, ordinary yet full of passion. He said, "I didn’t choose the most exceptional ones who could complete grand, perfect missions... I wanted to capture different personalities and life states. Through their first reactions, we see the full spectrum of this generation: What are these young people thinking? Where do they think their futures lie?"

Among the six travelers, the most talked-about is Wu Bo-jun, who traveled to France. Bo-jun suffers from lupus and Asperger’s syndrome. After twenty years of a difficult and uncertain life, those around him either ignored him or called him "stupid." Fond of drawing, he said slowly and expressionlessly, "If I can paint as well as Da Vinci, people will be my friends." Since he first picked up a brush, he has drawn thousands of versions of the Mona Lisa’s smile, capturing the mysterious subtlety of her lips. "The hardest part of painting the Mona Lisa is the light on her face." If he could stand before the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, he would paint that light.

It’s hard to imagine that someone who even struggles to speak Chinese had to find his way, buy tickets, and take the subway in an unfamiliar metropolis. He often took wrong turns, and every detour meant starting over. Two weeks later, he could go out alone, walk to the Louvre, watch the crowds, and not return until late at night. Bo-jun’s story received a strong response at the preview screening, with the crew jokingly saying, "This feels more like a feature film."

Additionally, a highlight widely discussed in the trailer is the theme song—it turns out to be the classic Taiwanese Hokkien hit "Walk Forward" that swept the streets over twenty years ago. The production team revealed that the film’s score was produced by Lim Giong. During the documentary’s planning phase, the team unanimously insisted on using this song as the theme to express the hope that Taiwan, no matter what challenges it faces, can bravely move forward. Lin Cheng-sheng also specially invited the well-known band Fire EX. and Lim Giong to rearrange and rerecord the track, uniting musicians of two generations to sing a blessing for facing challenges. A new music video of the updated "Walk Forward" will also be released with the film."A Journey with a Mission" will hold its premiere at Taipei Arena on October 28 and will be released nationwide on October 30. To get early access to premiere tickets, please visit the Scenic Spots Family Facebook fan page.

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