GONG XI FA CAI - 恭禧發財 - CHUC NUNG NAM MOI !
I just spent a
wonderful, difficult, challenging, magical, moving five months in Taiwan,
teaching again. ....My TNUA graduate and undergraduate film and theatre students
have made this semester happy and meaningful for me, even when they peacefully
sleep in class, dreaming of girlfriends and boyfriends! I've given them the
chance to practice English, and they've given me a chance to speak English.
Almost fair.
We talked about
creative passion, real and imaginary artistic blocks, fear of failure and
losing face, taking risks in filmmaking and life, interesting and clear unique
storytelling, communicating with an audience of over 2, impoverished
International art cinema vs. greedy Hollywood entertainment, personal taste and
critical judgement, learning from films you hate, and, most important, the best
restaurants.
I will deeply miss
Taiwan and Taiwanese lovers, friends, students, teachers, and MRT (best in the
world), but not Taiwan politics and bureaucracy. As famous General Douglas
MacArthur said, "I shall return!" (But he was fired.)
Have the warmest,
most intimate, loving, kind new year 2013 with your family, friends, and cute
snakes!
Ron
