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Cape No. 7

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Cape No. 7
Theatrical poster
Chinese海角七號
Directed byWei Te-sheng
Written byWei Te-sheng
Produced byJimmy Huang
Wei Te-sheng
StarringVan Fan
Chie Tanaka
Kousuke Atari
Rachel Liang
Johnny C.J. Lin
Ming Hsiung
Ying Wei-Min
Ma Nien-hsien
Joanne Yang
Bjanav Zenror
Ma Ju-lung
Hsiao-Lan Pei
Chang Kuei
Shino Lin
Pei-Chen Lee
Chang Hsin-yan
CinematographyChin Ting-chang
Edited byMilk Su
Lai Hui-chuan
Music byLo Chi-yi
Fred Lu
Production
company
ARS Film Production
Distributed byBuena Vista International
Release dates
  • 20 June 2008 (2008-06-20) (Taipei Film Festival)
  • 22 August 2008 (2008-08-22) (Taiwan)
Running time
129 minutes
CountryTaiwan
LanguagesTaiwanese
Mandarin
Japanese
BudgetNT$50 million
(US$1.5 million)
Box officeTaiwan: NT$530 million
(US$16 million)
Hong Kong: HK$7.62 million
(US$1 million)

Cape No. 7 (Chinese: 海角七號; pinyin: Hǎijiǎo Qī Hào; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hái-kak Chhit-hō; Japanese: 海角七号; rōmaji: kaikaku nana gō) is a 2008 Taiwanese romantic musical comedy-drama film[1] written and directed by Wei Te-sheng, his first full-length motion picture. The film is in Taiwanese and Mandarin with significant lines in Japanese. Before its commercial release, the film had its world premiere on 20 June 2008 at the 2008 Taipei Film Festival as the opening film.[2] The film later won 3 awards at the festival.

Prior to this film, the two leading actors Van Fan and Chie Tanaka only had minor acting experience while some of the supporting roles were filled by non-actors. Even without a strong promotional campaign, the film became hugely popular in Taiwan that on 1 November 2008 it became the second highest-grossing film in the country's cinematic history, behind James Cameron's Titanic.[3] The film has grossed over US$13,804,531 since its release.[4] It is also currently the highest grossing Taiwanese domestic film.

The film has won 15 awards to date, including 6 at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards. It was also Taiwan's entry to compete in the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, although it did not secure a nomination.[5]

Plot

[edit]

In the 1940s near the end of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, an unnamed teacher (Atari) dispatched to the southernmost town of Hengchun falls in love with a local girl with the Japanese name Kojima Tomoko (Liang). After the Surrender of Japan, the teacher is forced to return home as Taiwan was placed under the administrative control of the Republic of China. On his trip home, he pens seven love letters to express his regret for leaving Kojima Tomoko, who originally planned to elope with him to Japan.

More than 60 years later, Aga (Fan), a struggling young rock band singer leaves Taipei to return to his hometown of Hengchun. There, his step father (Ma), the Town Council Representative, arranges a position for him as a postman, replacing the aging Old Mao (C. Lin), on leave after a motorcycle accident broke his leg. One day, Aga comes across an undeliverable piece of mail that was supposed to be returned to the sender in Japan; the daughter of the now deceased Japanese teacher had decided to mail the unsent love letters to Taiwan after discovering them. Aga unlawfully keeps and opens the package to discover its contents, but the old Japanese-style address "Cape No. 7, Kōshun District, Takao Prefecture" can no longer be found.

Meanwhile, a local resort hotel in nearby Kenting National Park is organizing a beach concert featuring Japanese pop singer Kousuke Atari, but Aga's step father makes use of his official position to insist that the opening band be composed of locals. Tomoko (Tanaka), an over-the-hill Mandarin-speaking Japanese fashion model dispatched to Hengchun, is assigned the difficult task of managing this hastily assembled band, led by Aga along with six other locals of rather particular backgrounds. After a frustrating trial period, Aga and Tomoko unexpectedly begin a relationship. With some assistance from hotel maid Mingchu (S. Lin), who is revealed to be Kojima Tomoko's granddaughter, Tomoko helps Aga find the rightful recipient of the seven love letters. Tomoko then tells Aga that she plans on returning to Japan after the concert because of a job offer. After returning the seven love letters, a heartbroken but determined Aga returns to the beach resort and performs a highly successful concert with his local band alongside Kousuke Atari while Kojima Tomoko reads the letters.

Cast

[edit]
Actor Role Note(s)
Van Fan Aga The band's lead singer. Hengchun native who recently returned to the town after failing to find success in Taipei.
Chie Tanaka Tomoko Japanese model and agent assigned to organize the local band.
Kousuke Atari Japanese teacher in flashback scenes/himself in the present. He is an actual pop star in real life
Rachel Liang Kojima Tomoko (小島友子) in flashback scenes. Was left behind by her lover.
Johnny C.J. Lin
(林宗仁) 		Old Mao Postman; yueqinist, bassist and tambourineist in the band, close to 80 years old. Proud of having his talents referred to by the yueqin as a "national treasure" and desperate to perform in any capacity possible. Capable of speaking Japanese.
Ming Hsiung
(民雄) 		Rauma Short-tempered Policeman of Rukai tribe origin; guitarist in the band. Abandoned by his wife. Left the Taiwan police special forces for his wife before she abandoned him.
Ying Wei-min Frog Mechanic in a local motorcycle shop; drummer of the band. Infatuated with his boss' wife.
Ma Nien-hsien Malasun Diligent alcohol salesman of Hakka origin from nearby Baoli Village, Checheng Township; bassist in the band.
Joanne Yang
(楊蕎安) 		Dada 10-year-old girl who plays piano in local church; keyboardist in the band.
Bjanav Zenror
(丹耐夫正若) 		Olalan Rauma's father; policeman; former bassist in the band.
Ma Ju-lung Hong Kuo-jung, Town Council Representative Aga's step father; insists on allowing local talent to perform in the concert.
Hsiao-Lan Pei
(沛小嵐) 		Aga's mother
Chang Kuei
(張魁) 		Hotel Manager Under pressure from Aga's stepfather, was forced to allow the band formed by locals to perform in the concert.
Shino Lin Lin Mingchu Hotel maid; capable of speaking Japanese. Kojima Tomoko's granddaughter and Dada's mother.
Lee Pei-chen
(李佩甄) 		Motorcycle shop owner's wife Buxom, with triplet sons. Frog's employer's wife and infatuation.
Chang Hsin-yan Meiling Hotel receptionist. Originally had disputes but later developed brief relationship with Malasun.
Yukihiko Kageyama
(蔭山征彦) 		Narrator of the teacher's love letters Voice only

Production

[edit]

The inspiration for Cape No. 7 came in July 2004 when director Wei read a report about a Yunlin postman who successfully delivered a piece of mail addressed in the old Japanese style - the sender was the former Japanese employer of the recipient.[6] Wei decided to make a film based on this story, in the hopes of financing his long-awaited epic film Seediq Bale, which had problems securing financial interest.[7]

Aga's House, Hengchun, Republic of China (Taiwan)

By the end of 2006 Wei had finished Cape No. 7's script. He was subsequently awarded NT$ 5 million for winning the "Domestic Film Fund" from Taiwan's Government Information Office.[7] Wei said he picked Hengchun as the film's setting due to its richness in contrasts: mountains along with beaches; the old towns near the modern resort hotels; the aging population with the young working in Taipei; the diversified demographics with Hoklo, Hakka, Mainlanders, Taiwanese aborigines, and international tourists; the weather variation between the tropical southern Taiwan and the snow-laden Japan. Wei believed that such a setting would provide the ideal backdrop for the "harmony in diversity" theme of Cape No. 7.[8]

The film was shot between September and November 2007 in Hengchun and its neighboring Checheng and Manjhou Townships, located on the Hengchun Peninsula of Pingtung County. The set for the 'Hotel Chateau' (where the concert is held and at which model Tomoko stays) was the real life Château Beach Resort[9] at Kenting. A few scenes were also filmed in Fangliao Township and Jiadong Township of Pingtung County, Kaohsiung International Airport, Ximending and Wenshan District in Taipei.[10][11] The final scene presenting the Japanese teacher (Kousuke Atari) and other Japanese people leaving Taiwan by ship was filmed in an abandoned brewery in Taichung with more than 500 extras.[12] Before filming, Chie Tanaka had been staying in Taiwan for 15 months to study Chinese so she did not have major problems dealing with the Chinese lines in the film. Kousuke Atari played himself and as the 1940s Japanese teacher in this film.

As the production went over budget, Wei had problems securing additional capital; he subsequently refinanced his home and forced his family NT$30 million (approx. US$900,000) into debt before release. Cast members Pei-Chen Lee and Chang Hsin-yan revealed that during filming Wei could barely afford the film rolls and lodging for the crew.[13][14] Wei later said this film's zealous reception should help him manage his debts.[15]

Wei believed "that the films that hit the screens before the end of summer vacation in 2007 were all 'safe bets'", because they avoided competition from Hollywood blockbusters. Wei followed this theory when he released Cape No. 7 in 2008. Besides, Wei focused on the promotion of the film. The film was premiered in July, 2008, and attracted the interest of Buena Vista International, which made 50 copies of the film and distributed them nationally in August.[16]

The film's 133 minute theatrical version was edited from the first cut of 160 minutes. Aga and Tomoko's love scene was shortened, and some of their dialog before the love scene was cut as well.[17] The final version was shortened in Mainland China after the government film agency snipped out over half an hour of the film for political purposes. Nevertheless, rampant piracy in Mainland China saw the unedited version mass distributed via street stalls and the internet.

The film's marketing is combined with extensive merchandise, including original soundtrack CD, books, novelization, accessories, tours and musical concerts. The film contributed tourism for Hengchun, and especially boosted 'Hotel Chateau'. A televised concert was held with actors performing some numbers in the film.

Music

[edit]

A soundtrack album was released on 24 October 2008 by Forward Music.

  1. "The First Letter: "Tomoko, Are You Still Waiting for Me?" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  2. "Don't Wanna" (Van Fan)
  3. "The Second Letter: Destiny Is this Era's Sin" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  4. "Love You to Death" (Joanne Yang, etc.)
  5. "The Third Letter: Tomoko, I Fell in Love with You at that Moment" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  6. "Where to Go" (Bjanav Zenror)
  7. "The Fourth Letter: Why the Sea Breeze Always Brings Weep" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  8. "To Daughter" (Patricia Ho)
  9. "The Fifth Letter: Tomoko, I Really Miss You: Ah! Rainbow!" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  10. "As Happy as Can Be" (live version from the film) (Van Fan, Johnny C.J. Lin, Ming Hsiung, Ying Wei-Min, Ma Nien-hsien, Joanne Yang)
  11. "The Sixth Letter: I Write My Shame into the Last Letter" (Yukihiko Kageyama)
  12. "South of Border" (Van Fan)
  13. "Heidenröslein" (Van Fan, Kousuke Atari, Chie Tanaka)
  14. "The Seventh and Last Letter" (Van Fan)
  15. "1945" (orchestral version)

For an unspecified reason the soundtrack album does not include the film's ending theme, "Beautiful Scenery" performed by Rachel Liang.[18]

Reception

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]

Although the film only attracted moderate box-office success during its first weeks of release, it was helped by strong word of mouth buzz, mainly in blogs and on the Professional Technology Temple (PTT) Bulletin Board System, eventually leading to its record-breaking box-office performance.[3][19]

Robert Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Radio and Television at National Chengchi University, suggests that the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike may have reduced competition and that the distributor avoided a direct scheduling confrontation with The Dark Knight.[16]

Date Accumulated box-office in Taipei (NT$) Milestone
Aug 29, 2008 5.66 million
Sep 11, 2008 28.18 million surpassed Secret to become the top-selling Taiwan-made film in this island's cinematic history[20]
Sep 18, 2008 51.99 million
Sep 27, 2008 109 million surpassed The Dark Knight's 109-million accumulated Taipei sales record[21]
Oct 4, 2008 151 million surpassed Lust, Caution's 136-million accumulated Taipei sales record[22]
Oct 6, 2008 164 million surpassed Police Story 3's 156-million accumulated Taipei sales record to become the top-selling mandarin-language film in Taiwan history[23]
Oct 14, 2008 201 million surpassed The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King's 200-million accumulated Taipei sales record to become the 4th top-selling film in Taiwan history[24]
Oct 19, 2008 215 million surpassed The Lost World: Jurassic Park's 213-million accumulated Taipei sales record to become the 3rd top-selling film in Taiwan history[3]
Nov 1, 2008 225.7 million surpassed Jurassic Park's 225.2-million accumulated Taipei sales record to become the 2nd top-selling film in Taiwan history, only behind James Cameron's Titanic's 387.8-million[3]
Dec 12, 2008 232 million Final Taipei box-office (530 million total for the entire country)[3]

Critics attribute the film's box office success to its honest depiction of the rural southern Taiwan;[25] the strong emotional resonance among older viewers;[26] the humorous tone, optimistic characters, and musical performances.[27][28]

The film was used an example by critics to analyze how film profit is shared in Taiwan. It was estimated that the revenue from the film is around NTD 520 million, and the production cost to be NTD 50 million. After the deducting the production costs, 60% of the profit goes to movie theaters, 10% to the distributor. The director gets 10%, which is about NT$140 million.[29]

International

[edit]

The film gathered widespread attention at the 2008 Pusan International Film Festival where its broadcasting rights were successfully sold to Hong Kong; South Korea; Malaysia and Brunei,[30] through Astro Entertainment Sdn Bhd[31] and All Asia Multimedia Network, both subsidiaries of Malaysian pay-TV group Astro All Asia Networks; and Singapore.[32] The Hong Kong release date was on 20 November 2008 and the film ranked first during its first week of release.[33] Local critics found this film "civil, humorous, and friendly".[34] The Singapore release date was originally 1 January 2009 but distributors decided to release this film earlier on 27 November 2008 so as to satisfy demand from Singaporeans and to fight piracy.[35][36] The film made its United States premiere on 10 October 2008 in Honolulu at the Hawaii International Film Festival, where it won the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award for Best Narrative.[37] Its premiere in the Continental United States was on 12 December 2008 in Los Angeles.[citation needed]

Critiques on Soundtrack

[edit]

The official film soundtrack of Cape No. 7 was published by the Forward Music Co., Ltd. A representative song from Cape No. 7 called "Beautiful Scenery" was not included in the soundtrack, which made movie fans feel disappointed.[1] Due to this, fans raise doubts about the film company's claim of “carefully producing the album.”[2]

Controversies on storyline

[edit]

There have been controversies about whether Cape No. 7 advocates for "Japanophilia" or contains any "political metaphors."[38] It has been discussed that it addresses the complex historical relationship between Taiwan and Japan.[39][40] The film's depiction of a romantic relationship between a Taiwanese woman and a Japanese man, as well as the portrayal of the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan, have been subject to interpretation and debate.[41] These discussions have taken place on major websites after the release of the film.

The United Daily News published an editorial criticizing the film as "marred by colonial thoughts during the Japanese era" on 11 October 2008.[42] Wang Feng, a week-known Taiwanese media worker, described Cape No. 7 as a "social cancer" from the Cultural Revolution.[43] However, Lin Quanzhong, a Chinese professor from Japan, offered an interpretation of the meaning of Cape No. 7 from the perspectives of the "center" and the "periphery." He criticized the idea of “Japanophilia" as an "overreaction" and suggests that people should approach their understanding of the film with humble attitudes. Same thing was addressed by Hsu Chieh-lin, a professor at National Taiwan University, who believed that Cape No. 7 is simply a subculture that includes both American and Japanese cultures.[43][44]

Chen Yunlin, the Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), publicly praised this film after a private screening in November 2008.[45] However, on 28 November 2008 during a regular ARATS meeting in Beijing, Chen reversed his view and stated that this film was "marred by the shadow of Japanization".[45] He recommended the film be banned in the People's Republic of China.[46] The final release date was further delayed to 14 February 2009 and the version censored by the PRC authorities was only 100-minute long: certain Taiwanese Hokkien slang, foul words, and scenes such as Old Mao speaking Japanese were cut.[47]

Home media

[edit]

On 14 November 2008, Cape No. 7's distributors announced that the film's official DVD/BD release date will be 19 December 2008. On 30 November 2008 the number of copies ordered in advance had reached 23,000, far surpassing the runner-up record holder in Taiwan's cinematic history, The Lion King's 12,000 reservations in 1995.[48]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Wins

[edit]
Film Festival Awards / Recipients
2008 Taipei Film Festival Best Cinematography (Chin Ting-chang)
Grand Prize
Audience Award
2008 Asian Marine Film Festival Grand Prize[49]
2008 Hawaii International Film Festival Halekulani Golden Orchid Award for Best Narrative[50]
2008 Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival Best Cinematography (Chin Ting-chang)[51]
2008 Golden Horse Awards Best Supporting Actor (Ma Ju-lung)
Best Original Film Score (Fred Lu, Lo Chi-Yi)
Best Original Film Song (Matthew Yen, Tseng Chih-Hao, Van Fan)
Audience Choice Award
Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year
Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year (Wei Te-sheng)[52]
3rd Asian Film Awards Edward Yang New Talent Award (Wei Te-sheng)[53]
9th Chinese Film Media Awards The Juries' Special Award[54]
2009 Shanghai Film Critics Awards Film of Merit[55]

Nominations

[edit]
Film Festival Awards / nominees
2008 Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival Best Director (Wei Te-sheng)
Best Asian Film[51]
2008 Golden Horse Awards Best Feature Film
Best Director (Wei Te-sheng)
Best New Performer (Chie Tanaka, Johnny C.J. Lin)
Best Cinematography(Chin Ting-chang)
Best Sound Effect (Tu Du-Chi)[52]
2008 Festival International du film asiatique de Vesoul Asian Feature Film
28th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Asian Film

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 7 Reflections on Cape No. 7 Archived December 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ 台灣電影年度大製作 《海角七號》6/20台北電影節世界首映
  3. ^ a b c d e 大家都很關心的《海角七號》台北票房（全台請逕自乘以2）
  4. ^ Boxoffice Mojo
  5. ^ 《海角七號》金馬獎入圍9項　志玲姐姐落馬！ Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ 茂伯的本尊 郵差丁滄源[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b 魏德聖的　［賽德克巴萊］　血淚史
  8. ^ "〈海角七號〉魏德聖自爆：不想當導演". Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  9. ^ Château Resort hotel's Website Archived December 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ 彩虹旅程 海角七號場景大公開
  11. ^ Cape No.7 海角七號拍攝場景分享
  12. ^ 海角離別送行最後一幕　500人臨演當地居民軋一角 Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "《海角七號》佩甄挺窮導演魏德聖". Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  14. ^ "張沁妍海角七號背後 不為人知的辛酸". Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  15. ^ 《海角七號》票房進逼6千萬 3千萬債務解套
  16. ^ a b Teng Sue-feng (February 2009). "Taiwan's Film Industry after Cape No. 7". Taiwan Panorama. tr. by Jonathan Barnard. He observed that the films that hit the screens before the end of summer vacation in 2007 were all "safe bets" at the box office.
  17. ^ 《海角七號》可以說的‧秘密
  18. ^ "嚴雲農批豐華起效應 網友抵制「海角」原聲帶". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  19. ^ 從賽德克巴萊到海角七號，然後，再一次回到賽德克巴萊[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ 海角七號上映21天票房超越周董不能說的秘密2個月進帳
  21. ^ "破色，海角七號票房奪冠 再等等". Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  22. ^ 破色，戒北市票房 海角七號賣道具做公益
  23. ^ "海角破3億 創華語影史最高票房". Archived from the original on 2008-10-09. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  24. ^ 雙十國慶 《海角七號》台北市票房向2億元挺進！
  25. ^ "海角七號 星媒體：台灣心靈雞湯". Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  26. ^ 海角七號 震動台灣人心靈
  27. ^ "Cape No. 7 English Review". Archived from the original on 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  28. ^ 多事之秋、王建民又受傷　戴立忍：幸好有《海角七號》 Archived July 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ Sue-feng, Teng. "Biggest Production in Taiwan Film History-Seediq Bale". Taiwan Panorama. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  30. ^ "Taiwanese hit Cape No.7 tops Hong Kong box office".
  31. ^ "Cape No.7 | News & Features | Cinema Online".
  32. ^ 釜山電影論壇 台灣不見了
  33. ^ 海角七號勇奪香港首週票房冠軍！
  34. ^ "《海角七號》有親切情趣". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  35. ^ 海角七號挑戰4億 台灣影史奪亞軍[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ 海角七號31日在星首映 一票難求 Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Hawaii International Film Festival listing Archived October 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ "《海角七号》"媚日情结"之争_网易新闻中心". Archived from the original on 2008-12-06.
  39. ^ "海角七號──…殖民地次文化陰影 : 夏潮聯合會[Chinatide點Net]".
  40. ^ http://www.concentric-literature.url.tw/issues/Transnational%20Taiwan/5.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  41. ^ "《海角七號》：皇民化？還是政治化？". 21 January 2009.
  42. ^ "劉進興引文：許介麟教授原文--殖民地次文化陰影 - 政治符號 - udn城市".
  43. ^ a b https://mingpaomonthly.com/article/details/社會%EF%BC%8E時事%2F2009-01%2F1590996587005%2F欲走還留的「去邊陲化」意象？%E3%80%80%20解讀《海角七號》中的「國境之南」語境%E3%80%80（林泉忠） [bare URL]
  44. ^ https://www.his.ntnu.edu.tw/publish01/downloadfile.php?locale=zh&periodicalsPage=2&issue_id=18&paper_id=62 [bare URL]
  45. ^ a b "陳雲林看懂海角七號？藍委：很難 - 政治 - 自由時報電子報". December 2008.
  46. ^ "《海角七號》為何遭到中共打壓？".
  47. ^ "滞后上映 台湾"爆房"片《海角七号》反响平平-搜狐娱乐".
  48. ^ 【海角七號】DVD/BD發行日期公佈
  49. ^ "海洋映画". Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  50. ^ "Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival LVHIFF". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  51. ^ a b "《海角七號》輸了大獎贏人氣‧范逸臣講外星語‧千繪性感搶鏡". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  52. ^ a b The 45th Golden Horse Award Competition Archived December 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ Asia Film Awards official website
  54. ^ "田中千绘：最想演能说流利中国话的华人". Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  55. ^ IMDB:Shanghai Film Critics Awards: 2009[permanent dead link]
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