Birds and Us

In the waters around Kinmen Island, there is a curious creature which has existed for over 200 million years. People on Kinmen have made a living from the sea for over 300 years. They have survived the cross-strait conflicts between Taiwan and mainland China. But in the era of peace, both now face a critical crisis: the misuse of the coast by commercial development.

Once a rising star in Taiwan's mountaineering boom, A-Gong fell into debt and went on the run, hiding on Yushan before surrendering. After prison, he returned to the mountains, rebuilding his life step by step. Now, he's a living legend among Taiwan's high-altitude trails.

HUNG Chun-hsiu spent seven years filming three residents of Kinmen island: an owner of a local photography shop, a retired officer and a Chinese woman from Sichuan province who came to Kinmen with the hope for a better future. Using photographs and archival materials, HUNG explores the personal stories of three residents and how they reflect upon the upheavals between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.