Island in Between | An Oscar-Nominated Op-Doc

Summary

The video explores the complex relationship between Taiwan, China, and the U.S. through the lens of the narrator’s personal experiences. Growing up in Taiwan, the narrator reflects on the historical significance of Kinmen, a place caught between these geopolitical forces. Despite being raised with the belief that Taiwan would eventually reunify with China, the narrator’s adult life has taken them between Taiwan, China, and the U.S., offering a nuanced perspective on identity, family ties, and the evolving political landscape. The story is a meditation on belonging, legacy, and the uncertainty of the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Growing up in Taiwan, the narrator was aware of Kinmen's historical significance as a front line during the Chinese Civil War, but never visited until later in life.
• 😀 Kinmen, located close to China, represents a symbolic connection between Taiwan and China, both bringing them together and keeping them apart.
• 😀 Taiwan was taught to view itself as 'Chinese in exile,' with hopes of retaking China one day with U.S. support, and Kinmen was seen as the launch point for such efforts.
• 😀 The narrator's father, who served in Kinmen during mandatory military service in 1968, was deeply feared for his safety, reflecting the tense political climate of the time.
• 😀 Despite the changing political discourse in Taiwan, people in Kinmen were still expected to defend Taiwan, even though they had family ties across the water in China.
• 😀 The narrator's family has deep historical roots in Taiwan and has no direct connections to China, as their focus shifted towards aspirations in the U.S. instead.
• 😀 Kinmen symbolizes the paradox of Taiwanese identity, as it links Taiwan and China but also highlights the divide between the two places.
• 😀 The narrator's first trip to China was revealing, showing a China that was vibrant and full of possibilities, not the oppressive Communist regime they were taught about in Taiwan.
• 😀 The political and social realities in China became more difficult to navigate in recent years, especially with the tightening of censorship and the crackdown in Hong Kong.
• 😀 The narrator reflects on their sense of belonging and the emotional complexity of living in multiple countries (Taiwan, China, U.S.), likening it to being a child caught between parents in a custody battle.

Q & A

What was the speaker's perception of Kinmen before visiting?

Before visiting, the speaker, like most Taiwanese, had never been to Kinmen, despite hearing about it frequently. They knew that Kinmen had been a frontline for Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War but had never personally experienced the island or its proximity to China.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between Taiwan and China?

The speaker reflects on the complicated relationship between Taiwan and China, particularly the historical context of Taiwan as 'Chinese in exile,' and the aspiration to retake China with U.S. support. However, the speaker now has a more complex understanding, acknowledging the political divisions and growing uncertainty about the future.

What role did Kinmen play during the Chinese Civil War?

Kinmen was a crucial military outpost during the Chinese Civil War. It acted as a defense point for Taiwan, often shelled by communist artillery from mainland China. The island was strategically important, much like Berlin in Europe, serving as a buffer against communist forces.

How does the speaker feel about their father's service in Kinmen?

The speaker mentions that their father served in Kinmen during his mandatory military service in 1968. The speaker’s grandmother feared for his life, showing the emotional toll that such service had on families during that time.

What shift occurred in the political rhetoric surrounding Taiwan's stance on China over time?

Over time, political rhetoric in Taiwan shifted, with politicians no longer emphasizing the idea of retaking China 'at all costs.' However, the people of Kinmen continued to be expected to defend Taiwan, even though many had familial ties across the strait in China.

What is the significance of the speaker's visit to China?

The speaker’s visit to China marked a personal journey, moving from a childhood perspective shaped by Taiwan's views on China to a firsthand experience of the mainland. The speaker describes China as vibrant and full of potential, contradicting the negative portrayals they had been taught growing up.

Why was it easier for the speaker to travel to China with their American passport?

The speaker found it easier to travel to China with their American passport due to the complexities of Taiwan's political status. Taiwan's government-issued passport is not recognized by China, but as an American citizen, the speaker was able to bypass some of the bureaucratic hurdles.

What has been the impact of recent political events on the speaker's view of Taiwan and China?

The speaker mentions the impact of China’s crackdown on Hong Kong, the pandemic, and the shutdown of the Kinmen ferry in 2020 as contributing factors to their sense of uncertainty regarding future interactions with China. These events have made the speaker unsure about returning to China in the near future.

How has the speaker’s return to Taiwan influenced their relationship with their family?

The speaker’s return to Taiwan during the pandemic allowed them to spend more time with their parents than they had in the past 30 years, which has deepened their connection to the place. However, the speaker also feels the weight of the political tension surrounding Taiwan's future, as symbolized by their mother’s casual comment about preparing for a potential Chinese invasion.

What does the speaker mean when they describe their relationship with Taiwan, China, and the U.S. as a 'three-way custody battle'?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a 'three-way custody battle' to describe their internal conflict between Taiwan, China, and the U.S. Each has its own expectations and influence over the speaker’s identity and life choices, with each country asserting its own agenda without regard to the speaker's desires.