The movie "Bang Teng" (Rhythm of the Drums) is a box office hit, showcasing the beautiful scenery of Pingtung

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

The inspirational film "Bang Teng," which tells the story of local folk culture, had an outstanding performance at the box office during the Spring Festival, surpassing 100 million NTD so far. Many scenes in the movie were filmed in Pingtung, including the Pengwan Cross-Sea Bridge, Donglong Temple in Donggang Township, the fishing harbor, the Jiadong military airstrip along Ping’e Highway, and the Fangshan coastline. During the holiday period, why not visit these filming locations in person to experience the moving atmosphere brought by the movie firsthand?

The "Bang Teng" production crew, led by director Feng Kai, filmed in Pingtung between April and May last year. One scene required a convoy of heavy motorcycles to ride across the Pengwan Cross-Sea Bridge. Nearly 20 heavy motorcycles were mobilized that day, thanks to the enthusiastic support of biking enthusiasts who followed the director’s instructions to race back and forth on the bridge to capture the best shots. Another aerial shot of the Pengwan Cross-Sea Bridge was also filmed, and apart from the assistance of the Tourism and Communication Division in arranging a helicopter, the Greater Penglai Bay National Scenic Area Administration also specially coordinated the shoot, as the bridge’s “opening ceremony” only takes place on holidays, to showcase the grandeur of the Pengwan Cross-Sea Bridge.

In recent years, an increasing number of films and TV dramas have been drawn to Pingtung’s unique southern charm, picturesque landscapes, and cultural themes, choosing to film there. Examples include internationally renowned director Ang Lee’s "Life of Pi," Wei Te-sheng’s "Cape No. 7," Chu Yen-ping’s "New Perfect Two," Wang Xiaodie’s "Kuma," and TV series such as "Police et vous" ("Boris") and "The New Recruits' Diary." Most recently, Berlin Film Festival Best Director Lin Cheng-sheng plans to bring the story of World Bread Champion Wu Pao-chun’s struggle to the big screen, gradually creating a cinematic trend. While "Bang Teng" has achieved impressive box office success, it has also helped more people see a different side of Pingtung.