In this episode, we explore A Foggy Tale ( 大濛 ), the acclaimed Taiwanese historical drama directed by Chen Yu-hsun, which recently received its Irish premiere at Dublin’s Savoy Cinema.
Set during Taiwan’s White Terror era in the 1950s, A Foggy Tale follows a young girl searching for the truth surrounding her brother’s execution during a time of martial law and political repression. Through striking cinematography, powerful performances, and an authentic atmosphere, the film captures both the fear and the humanity that endured during one of the most turbulent periods in Taiwanese history.
The screening was hosted by the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese as part of Taiwan’s new “Europe-Taiwan Cultural Year” initiative, launched by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share Taiwanese culture and creativity across Europe. With a packed programme of cultural events planned in the months ahead, we also look at what audiences in Ireland can expect next (listen until the end of the episode or see list below).
After attending the Dublin premiere on May 9th, I sat down with Dr. George Hong, a Taiwanese resident of Ireland, to discuss the historical background of the film, the meaning of the White Terror period, the evolution of Taiwanese identity, and why Taiwan’s past continues to resonate so strongly today.
This episode explores Taiwanese cinema, Taiwan history, cultural identity, political memory, and the growing cultural connection between Taiwan and Ireland.
Date of Recording: May 9th, 2026.
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| A Foggy Tale premiered in Ireland at Dublin's Savoy Cinema on May 9th Insert photo: Dr. George Hong and Neil O'Sullivan. |
DIVE DEEPER
- A Foggy Tale - movie trailer, IMDb
- Seeing Taiwan's stories of the past in Ireland - Taipei Representative Office in Ireland (May 12th, 2026)
- Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese Hosts Emotional Screening of "A Foggy Tale" at Savoy Cinema - Ma Xueping (馬雪萍) OCAC News (May 11th, 2026)
- 'A Foggy Tale' grounded and human - Chen Hsueh-chiang, Taipei Times (January 25th, 2025)
- MOC launches Taiwan Culture in Europe 2026 highlighting human rights and arts - Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, R.o.C. (May 4th, 2026)
- Fragments of Becoming - exhibition by Yuan-Wen Wang at Dance Cork Firkin Crane, opens May 6th and runs to June 27th, 2026.
- Dragon Boat Festival event, Greystones, June 20th - FB, @twirlassoc
- Taiwanese Choir Performance, August (more later)
- A Chip Odyssey ( 造山者 ) - feature length documentary (trailer) screening as part of Culture Night in September.
- Untold Herstory - Taiwan Plus News
- Taiwan Smart Medical & Health Tech Expo - Support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization(WHO)
Podcasts you might also like
- The Chinese Ambassador was Wrong! - Interview with Barry Ward TD (FG) (April 2026)
- Surviving Tiananmen Square - Interview with Wu'Er Kaixi (March 2026)
