"Godspeed" is a rare road movie in Taiwanese cinema. (Image provided by Applause Entertainment)
Director Chung Mong-hong’s "Godspeed" draws out his vision of what a Taiwanese road movie should be — an absurd journey that unexpectedly showcases the neglected and desolate landscapes of central and southern Taiwan: rice paddies, ponds, highways, and the shimmering glow of the setting sun. The director noted that while these unique Taiwanese scenes may be overlooked, they reveal a natural and vibrant kind of beauty. Even Niu Dun was surprised, saying, “I’ve seen these places in the film, some I’ve even been to, but I’d never noticed their beauty before.”
An abandoned bowling alley, after being tidied up, also became a set for "Godspeed", adding a distinctive flair. (Image provided by Applause Entertainment)
Through Director Chung’s lens, even Hong Kong’s legendary comedian Michael Hui was won over. He said that although he had traveled around Taiwan as a backpacker for over 20 years, he had never gained such an in-depth understanding of the place. Following the "Godspeed" crew into central and southern Taiwan, Michael Hui discovered how unique every part of Taiwan is, and even expressed strong interest in shooting future films in those areas.
Hong Kong’s legendary comedian Michael Hui is also captivated by Taiwan’s local culture and scenery. (Image provided by Applause Entertainment)
There was also a small mishap during filming. Last October, while shooting at Bai Shui Lake in Chiayi, the crew was hit by Typhoon Soudelor. The entire road was flooded, completely altering the previously scouted scenery. Even Director Chung was stunned by the dramatic change. The crew sprang into action, jumping into the flooded pool to build a makeshift bridge with long poles, but the bridge they constructed was washed away by water the very next day. They had to tear it down and rebuild from scratch. Actors Wu Chun-tien and Dai Li-ren could only wait helplessly, causing the entire production schedule to fall behind by two to three days. Thanks to the hard work of building a man-made bridge, though only shown briefly in the film, those few scenes involved considerable effort.
Typhoon Soudelor destroyed the road, and the "Godspeed" crew built a bridge over the water. (Image provided by Applause Entertainment)
Despite the challenges during filming, Director Chung Mong-hong insisted on capturing Taiwan’s beauty from a unique angle. He said those scenes represent a long-forgotten Taiwanese warmth and human connection — that vibrant energy is exactly what Taiwan needs the most. Just as Michael Hui reflected on "Godspeed", when life reaches its lowest point, a touch of kindness often emerges from the most unexpected places, and that’s the very strength that makes life worth living.
- 1
- 2