"Ghost Town" Book Talk with Author Kevin Chen

Where is Taiwan? What language(s) do they speak? Is it possible to get to know Taiwan by reading a novel? Kevin Chen’s Ghost Town is a Taiwanese family saga set in a small town. According to the New York Times, this novel is “a family drama, Taiwan history, and murder case, rolled into one.” In the vocabulary of a fiction, the context of politics, sexuality and emancipation is slowly unfolded. Kevin Chen will talk about his personal stories that inspired him to step into the world of fiction as well as the haunting history of Taiwan.

TAIPEILOVE* Documentary with Director Lucie Liu

TAIPEILOVE* is documentary about Taiwan's road to same-sex marriage. Protagonists Sarah, Kevin and David talk about how same-sex love is perceived in society. They talk about what coming-out looks like, how the family reacts and what life is like as a gay or lesbian in Taiwanese society. TAIPEILOVE* is the first documentary worldwide to thoroughly cover the topic of homosexuality and Taiwan's unique way to same-sex marriage as the first country in Asia. The film has been independently produced and realized by a professional international team with members from France, Taiwan, USA, Germany, the Philippines and Singapore. TAIPEILOVE* won best documentary at the Seoul International Film Festival and has been invited to various festivals and screenings worldwide.

Schedule

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Book Talk by Kevin Chen
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: "Ghost Town" Roundtable Discussion
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Reception with refreshments
• 2:00 PM: Film screening "TAIPEILOVE*"
• 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Q&A Discussion with Director Lucie Liu