US Congress Has Screening of "Formosa Betrayed" Film

Saturday September 12, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.

Taiwan's struggle to create a democracy over the constraints of the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) one-party state took decades. The film, "Formosa Betrayed" presents a composite of events in the 1980s and how the KMT was responsible for several high profile murders to try and contain those seeking a multi-party state democracy. As the US Congress watches the film, it should be aware of how often certain elements in its own government will co-opt to work with dictatorships like the KMT once had and betray the ideals of the founding fathers of the USA. They must always learn to look behind the scenes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Formosa Foundation will present to members of Congress and their staff a private screening of the new political thriller "Formosa Betrayed," which is inspired by actual events surrounding the investigation of the murder of a Taiwanese-American professor on U.S. soil.

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) will be making remarks at the event. Also present at the September 14 screening will be writer/producer Will Tiao, lead actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek, Varsity Blues), actor Tzi Ma (The Quiet American, 24), and award winning cinematographer and director Adam Kane.

The film Formosa Betrayed illustrates a critical turning-point in the democratization of Taiwan and its relationship to the United States. "The screening is designed to raise awareness about the historic struggle of Taiwanese and their American friends to build a democratic society," said Terri Giles, Executive Director of the Formosa Foundation. "While the film depicts the tumultuous political situation in the 1980's, the underlying theme of human rights and freedom is all the more relevant today in view of recent developments in Taiwan."

Formosa Betrayed is funded through grassroots efforts by Taiwanese Americans who supported democratization in Taiwan, enjoyed their newfound freedoms in the US and who remain politically active in both countries. "We are proud to support this film as it is an important piece of both US and Taiwan history," said Enoch Chang, Chairman of the Formosa Foundation. "Unfortunately the democracy and human rights that we fought for are once again under siege. Now more than ever it is important that leaders in Congress understand our shared past and stand firm in support of Taiwan's young democracy."

The screening will take place on Monday, September 14, 2009, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Newseum in Washington D.C. Attendance is by invitation only.

For more information about the film, including the official "Formosa Betrayed" trailer, visit www.formosathemovie.com.

Based in Los Angeles, the Formosa Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting greater understanding of the relationship between Taiwan and the United States and preserving and enhancing democracy, human rights and freedom for the people of Taiwan.