From the migration of purple butterflies to the crafting of bamboo steam baskets, Taiwan’s leading 3D film director has spent a decade painstakingly capturing the island’s beauty.
After a life-threatening tumour left him partially deaf and blind in one eye in 2002, Charlie Chu moved away from making television series and music videos, instead seeking to focus on life’s precious details.
His new 3D movie Formosa 3D, out later this month, is a stunning montage of Taiwan’s nature and varied landscapes, as well as portraying traditional trades at risk of dying out.
It comprises footage Chu collated and archived over a period of 10 years.
Scenes of Taiwan’s misty mountains, the famous 101 skyscraper in the capital Taipei and rich coral life underwater off the island’s east coast all made the cut in the documentary.
It also heavily features dozens of artisans making everyday items such as feather dusters, noodles, and handwoven straw sandals.