Movie “Blessings From Above” filmed in Taichung; Director-General of the Information Bureau paid a visit.

 “Blessings From Above” , directed by Lee Chung and produced by Lee Lieh, began shooting today (March 23, 2018) in Nantun District of Taichung. The whole movie is expected to be filmed in Taichung. Director-General Cho Kuan-Ting of the Information Bureau visited the filming site, and wished the crew good luck, and handed out the famous pastry from the city, the sun cake. Mr. Cho said that Taichung has a great environment for filmmaking. In addition to stable weather condition, the Central Taiwan Film Studio, scheduled to be completed in the middle of this year, will provide even more assistance to film crews. The city government will also continue to work hard to attract more filmmakers to Taichung.  

The main cast of “Blessings From Above” includes Lawrence Ko, Stephanie Chang Yun-xi, Joanne Tseng Chih-chiao, Lin Mei-hsiu, Liao Chun, Sophia Fang Ji-wei, and Liu Kuan-ting. Played by Lawrence Ko, in the movie, Zheng De-li (“De-li” means “profit”) is a stingy investor. He bought a big apartment, but instead of enjoying this luxury home, he camped with his wife (played by Stephanie Chang) and son inside the unfinished house. All his money was put aside to make more money. One day, Mr. Laio, played by Liao Chun, suddenly “fell from above,” messing up Zheng’s plan. An intense fight over profits between different players thus began. The audience are going to see the real side of humanity in this comedy.

Director Lee Chung gained Golden Horse Awards nomination for best director for the film “The Laundryman”. His black humor made him stand out among the rising Taiwanese directors. The current production, “Blessings From Above”, received city government’s 2017 grant. Main filming locations include the 7th Reconsolidated Area, Wuchi Fishing Port, and National Taichung Theater, etc. Aerial view of Greater Taichung at night will also be included. The whole movie is planned to be filmed in Taichung.

To stimulate Taichung’s film and television industry, the government is building the Central Taiwan Film Studio in Wufeng District. It is planned to be completed in the middle of this year, and by the end of the year, Taiwan’s biggest indoor studios, artificial wave pool, and deep pool will be ready for filmmaking. The good weather of Taichung is another factor that draws film crew to the city. The government and the Taichung Film Development Foundation will continue their efforts in creating a better environment to attract more directors, producers, and actors to come to Taichung to make movies.