On average, they are 81 years old, but they dare to dream the dream of an 18-year-old. They would tell you, through life-long experience, “Miracles do happen as long as you continue to dream!”
Among these 17 “Grandriders”, 2 have gone through cancers, 4 need hearing aids, 5 suffer from high blood pressure and 8 have coronary diseases. And every one of them has symptoms of joint degeneration. However, at the age of 80 plus, they dare to ride on scooters and to feel the land they have lived for life-long again.
The challenges officially begin when they decide to straddle on their scooters: Objections from family members, taking driver’s license at old age, aging bodies and bodily functions and every possible weather and road conditions along that 1178-kilometer long journey. One day prior to start, the crew leader suffers from ulcer and dropping red blood cell count, how will he lead these Grandriders to the destination they have aspired?
About the Director
Born in 1981 in Taipei, HUA Tien-hao graduated from the Radio and Television department of Shih Hsin University in Taiwan. Since 2002, he has engaged in the production of documentaries, commercials and promotional videos. He harbors the creative philosophy that “film is but a media by which to transmit ideas. The emphasis is on the characters and their spirit”. Through his intricate and sensitive powers of observation and the use of a collage of images and music, he is able to capture the true sense and emotion of the moment.
Filmography
2012 Perfect Match, ASUS Transformer Prime Global TVCF
2011 Greeting the Future, documentary for Childhood Burn Foundation of R.O.C.,
2009 CHEN Yin-hui, documentary Series of Master Artists, Council for Cultural Affairs
From the Director
I never thought of accomplishing some mission with 17 grandpas and grandmas, as I have rarely spent time with the elderly. But this journey is not so much about visiting different places along a 1,178-long path. It is more like traveling through misplaced times. During our trip, the grandpas spoke of an era full of power and possibilities. It is also through this trip that 17 wonderful life stories are strung together. During the shooting, the Chinese New Year was drawing near. Every household along the way was busy with house-cleaning and holiday celebration. I saw children visiting senior family members as tradition requires. Their way of communicating, however, is not traditional at all– every kid has some high-tech gadget in their hands. In the same time, Granpa A-tung told me stories of his wife like a chatter box. Granpa A-tsai reached his callus-covered hands to hold mine, with agitation. It turned out that, 60 years ago, Granpa A-tsai used dynamites– and spent his youthful time– to assist the construction of a tunnel that we just passed a few minutes ago. Winds fly. Time flies. They fly through the new and the old. They fly through the intimate and distant hours between two souls. I wonder how we can remember the smell of the elderly’s time. What should we do to remember things, when we become grandpas, too? …I only have a video camera in my hands.
“Stop shooting! Eat something!” Grandpas said. They put a generous amount of food in my bowl. I am still not sure what I have recorded for them. But I do remember their loving care delivered through food. I munched and munched. And I will always remember their love.
Film Festival
※Nominee, Wide Angle Documentary Competition, Busan International Film Festival 2012
※The 9th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, Taiwan Cinema Express 2012
※The 39th Victoria Film Festival 2013
※The 6th Human Rights Arts and Film Festival 2013
※The 31st CAAMFest 2013
※The 16th Hawaii International Film Fest SPRING Showcase 2013
※The 39th Seattle International Film Festival 2013
※The 7th Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival 2013
※Nominee, Best Documentary Feature, Asian Film Festival of Dallas, Competition 2013
※Nominee, Lucky Cat Award, Asian Summer Film Festival 2013
※Nominee, Emerging Director Award for Documentary Feature, Asian American International Film Festival 2013
※The 4th Beijing International Film Festival 2014
※The 5th Dalian Art Film Festival, DAFF, 2014
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