Formosa Betrayed
Encyclopedia
Formosa Betrayed is a 2009 American political thriller film directed by Adam Kane
, written by Charlie Stratton, Yann Samuell
, Brian Askew, Nathaniel Goodman, with story by Will Tiao
and Katie Swain, and starring James Van Der Beek
. Set in Chicago
and Taiwan
in the 1980s, the story follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) agent investigating the murder of a Taiwanese professor at a midwestern college. The search for his killers takes the agent to Taiwan where he discovers there is more involved in this murder than he ever anticipated. Although critics have regarded Formosa Betrayed as a "pan-green
movie", its writers say they did not take sides over the Pan-Blue
/Pan-Green political divide.
Formosa Betrayed opened in 15-20 cities in North America the weekend of February 28, 2010.
in 1981, and the other the 1984 assassination of journalist Henry Liu in California, Formosa Betrayed is the story of FBI Agent Jake Kelly's (James Van Der Beek
) investigation of the murder of Henry Wen (Joseph Foronda), a Taiwanese professor in Chicago. With the help of his partner Tom Braxton (John Heard) and a sharp Chicago police detective (Leslie Hope
), Agent Kelly discovers that the murderers have fled to Taipei
, capital of Republic of China (Taiwan)
.
Agent Kelly is sent overseas to assist Taiwan
government's search for the killers. Initially guided by an American diplomat (Wendy Crewson
) and a KMT official (Tzi Ma
), he soon realizes that not only is he an unwelcome guest in a foreign land, but that something more treacherous is happening beneath the surface.
With the help of Ming (Will Tiao
), a Taiwanese activist, Agent Kelly discovers the unsettling truth about the island, once described as "Ilha Formosa" ("beautiful island") by the Portuguese, leading to dangerous and painful consequences. Agent Kelly finds himself on a collision course with the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and ultimately the highest levels of the Kuomintang
, where this FBI agent discovers how a complex web of politics, identity, and power affects the lives and destinies of all the citizens.
on July 24, 2009 to a completely sold out theater. The film also screened at the 32nd Annual Montreal World Film Festival
where scouts from Screen Media Films
first saw the film.
In the rest of 2009, Formosa Betrayed screened at the 8th Annual San Diego Film Festival where the film won Best Film and Best Actor for James Van Der Beek
's work in the film. The film was also screened at 10th Annual DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
, the 13th Annual Hollywood Film Festival
, the 33rd Annual Sao Paulo Film Festival, the 18th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival
, and was featured as the centerpiece presentation at the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
where it was honored with the festival's Audience Award.
in Washington, D.C.
Presented by the Formosa Foundation, Senator Sherrod Brown
(D-Ohio), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
(R-Fla.), Congressmen David Wu
(D-OR), and Michael McCaul
(R-TX) presented remarks. Congressmen Al Green
(D-TX) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis
(R-FL), as well as congressional and professional staff from various House of Representatives
and Senate
committees, were also in attendance.
Formosa Foundation Executive Director Terri Giles said, "Taiwan's democratization is not a 'miracle,' but rather a result of great human sacrifice
by many whose stories inspired the film." Giles added, "This screening is designed to raise awareness among Congressional members, of the historic and
ongoing struggle of the Taiwanese people to build a democratic society."
"Although the film is set in the 1980s in an era known as the "White Terror
," its underlying theme of human rights
and democracy remains relevant today," producer Will Tiao
told the audience. "The film provides a critical analysis of the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, as well as current U.S. foreign policy
toward this country."
While praising Taiwan for building a prosperous democracy, Senator Brown voiced concern that closer ties with the People's Republic of China
could put this progress at risk. "The United States
has an interest to help the Taiwanese keep their democracy and freedom," stated Brown.
had acquired worldwide rights in all media to Formosa Betrayed with the film to be released in theaters in February 2010 in 15-20 North American
cities.
Blake French of AMC's filmcritic.com praises the film as "a proficient, focused thriller, it begins as a cookie-cutter whodunit and evolves into an informative, interesting interpretation of the complex Taiwan-China relationship." He goes on to describe director
Adam Kane
's handling of the film as "directed with skill and precision, Formosa Betrayed never feels like a heavy handed history lesson, mostly because Kane treats the film like a thriller, not as a political drama."
The Hollywood Reporter wrote "At the heart of the film is the affecting performance of Will Tiao, who also produced and co-wrote the story." His performance represents "the emotional toll on native Taiwanese struggling to be free of foreign control." Tim Cogshell of Boxoffice Magazine remarked on the "exceptional" work of Tiao and all the Asian actors in the cast.
The Wall Street Journal
says “the movie is a sturdy entry in the paranoid-thriller genre, and raises some interesting issues about our relationship with the country we used to call China.”
Slant Magazine
commends the movie for its in-depth view into international politics stating “Though it's set in 1983, Formosa Betrayeds an appropriate movie for America's current political climate, in which the audacity of hope has turned into a self-involved kind of frustration and despair.”
The Hollywood Reporter placed value on its historical significance: "At its plainspoken best, the U.S.- and Thailand-shot film is an eye-opening history lesson more than an atmospheric thriller. It's nonetheless chilling as it exposes the machinations between countries with no official relationship."
The NY Times had great things to say for Wendy Crewson's role, calling it "the film’s strongest performance."
The Boston Globe
applauds the film for its unique take on storytelling “As a political thriller, “Formosa Betrayed’’ has enough suspense and intrigue to pull viewers along willingly. It doesn’t try too hard, which is refreshing.”
The San Francisco Chronicle
had a lukewarm review, citing "viewers with a passionate interest in the political history of Taiwan are probably the main audience for Formosa Betrayed. Others will find a competently made but heavy-handed film that's almost sure to remind them of TV fare."
The LA Times saw it as "a mostly pedestrian political thriller... sans thrills".
Adam Kane
Adam Kane is an American cinematographer, film director, television director and producer.Since 1990s, Kane has amassed a number cinematography credits for the films Hail Ceaser, The Boondock Saints, The Man, Skinwalkers and number of other films.In 2005, he transitioned to television directing,...
, written by Charlie Stratton, Yann Samuell
Yann Samuell
Yann Samuell , is a French film director, and screenwriter.-Biography:Samuell went to film school and was a storyboard artist before becoming a director. He gave his directing debut in 2003 with Love Me If You Dare and his second film was the romantic comedy film My Sassy Girl...
, Brian Askew, Nathaniel Goodman, with story by Will Tiao
Will Tiao
Will Tiao is a Taiwanese American actor and producer. Born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, he worked in the field of international politics before entering the Hollywood scene. Tiao was a cello performance major at the University of Michigan before transferring to Tufts University, where he...
and Katie Swain, and starring James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek
James William Van Der Beek, Jr. is an American television, film, and stage actor, known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery in The WB series Dawson's Creek...
. Set in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in the 1980s, the story follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI) agent investigating the murder of a Taiwanese professor at a midwestern college. The search for his killers takes the agent to Taiwan where he discovers there is more involved in this murder than he ever anticipated. Although critics have regarded Formosa Betrayed as a "pan-green
Pan-Green Coalition
The Pan-Green Coalition or Pan-Green Camp, is an informal political alliance of the Republic of China, commonly known as "Taiwan", consisting of the Democratic Progressive Party , Taiwan Solidarity Union , and the minor Taiwan Independence Party...
movie", its writers say they did not take sides over the Pan-Blue
Pan-Blue Coalition
The Pan-Blue Coalition 泛藍聯盟 or Pan-Blue Force is a political alliance in the Republic of China , consisting of the Kuomintang , the People First Party , and the New Party . The name comes from the party colours of the Kuomintang...
/Pan-Green political divide.
Formosa Betrayed opened in 15-20 cities in North America the weekend of February 28, 2010.
Plot
Inspired by two actual events, one surrounding the death of Professor Chen Wen-Chen (陳文成) of Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in 1981, and the other the 1984 assassination of journalist Henry Liu in California, Formosa Betrayed is the story of FBI Agent Jake Kelly's (James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek
James William Van Der Beek, Jr. is an American television, film, and stage actor, known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery in The WB series Dawson's Creek...
) investigation of the murder of Henry Wen (Joseph Foronda), a Taiwanese professor in Chicago. With the help of his partner Tom Braxton (John Heard) and a sharp Chicago police detective (Leslie Hope
Leslie Hope
Leslie Ann Hope is a Canadian actress, best known for her role as Teri Bauer in the Fox show 24 where she played the wife of the main character Jack Bauer.-Life and career:...
), Agent Kelly discovers that the murderers have fled to Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, capital of Republic of China (Taiwan)
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
.
Agent Kelly is sent overseas to assist Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
government's search for the killers. Initially guided by an American diplomat (Wendy Crewson
Wendy Crewson
-Life and career:Crewson was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of June Doreen and Robert Binnie Crewson. She attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where she won the prestigious Lorne Greene Award for outstanding work in the theater. She then studied at the Webber Douglas Academy...
) and a KMT official (Tzi Ma
Tzi Ma
Tzi Ma is a Chinese American actor who has made numerous appearances in American films and TV series.-Life and career:Ma was born in Hong Kong...
), he soon realizes that not only is he an unwelcome guest in a foreign land, but that something more treacherous is happening beneath the surface.
With the help of Ming (Will Tiao
Will Tiao
Will Tiao is a Taiwanese American actor and producer. Born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, he worked in the field of international politics before entering the Hollywood scene. Tiao was a cello performance major at the University of Michigan before transferring to Tufts University, where he...
), a Taiwanese activist, Agent Kelly discovers the unsettling truth about the island, once described as "Ilha Formosa" ("beautiful island") by the Portuguese, leading to dangerous and painful consequences. Agent Kelly finds himself on a collision course with the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and ultimately the highest levels of the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
, where this FBI agent discovers how a complex web of politics, identity, and power affects the lives and destinies of all the citizens.
Production
Filming began in March 2008 in Chicago, Illinois and then moved overseas to Bangkok, Thailand and then Taiwan. Despite the film's events taking place in Taiwan and in the face of some criticism from the Taiwanese communities in America, the production chose to film in Thailand mainly for its established infrastructure for shooting film and television. The availability of film equipment, crews and sets offered the production a more cost effective solution to filming in Taiwan, where it would have been necessary to ship film equipment in from Japan. The producers also realized that Taiwan in present day no longer resembles Taiwan in the 1980s, another major production cost relating to set design that was avoided by shooting in Thailand.Cast
- James Van Der BeekJames Van Der BeekJames William Van Der Beek, Jr. is an American television, film, and stage actor, known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery in The WB series Dawson's Creek...
as Agent Jake Kelly - Wendy CrewsonWendy Crewson-Life and career:Crewson was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of June Doreen and Robert Binnie Crewson. She attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where she won the prestigious Lorne Greene Award for outstanding work in the theater. She then studied at the Webber Douglas Academy...
as Susan Kane - John Heard as Tom Braxton
- Will TiaoWill TiaoWill Tiao is a Taiwanese American actor and producer. Born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, he worked in the field of international politics before entering the Hollywood scene. Tiao was a cello performance major at the University of Michigan before transferring to Tufts University, where he...
as Ming - Tzi MaTzi MaTzi Ma is a Chinese American actor who has made numerous appearances in American films and TV series.-Life and career:Ma was born in Hong Kong...
as Kuo - Leslie HopeLeslie HopeLeslie Ann Hope is a Canadian actress, best known for her role as Teri Bauer in the Fox show 24 where she played the wife of the main character Jack Bauer.-Life and career:...
as Lisa Gilbert - Kenneth TsangKenneth TsangKenneth Tsang Kong is a Hong Kong actor. Tsang's career has spanned 50 years and included a variety of acting roles.Tsang was born in Shanghai, China with family roots in Jida, Zhuhai, Guangdong. He attended high school in Wah Yan Hong Kong and then Wah Yan, Kowloon...
as General Tse - Chelcie RossChelcie RossChelcie Claude Ross is an American character actor. He served in Vietnam as an officer in the United States Air Force, and earned an MFA from the Dallas Theater Center.-Filmography:*Skokie *On the Right Track...
as Daltry - Adam Wang as Lee
- Mintita Wattanakul as Maysing
Festival screenings
Formosa Betrayed had its world premiere at the Asian American International Film FestivalAsian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival is an international film festival held annually during the summer in New York City to showcase the works of both emerging and experienced Asian and Asian American filmmakers and media artists across a diverse range of genres and...
on July 24, 2009 to a completely sold out theater. The film also screened at the 32nd Annual Montreal World Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival , founded in 1977, is one of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF...
where scouts from Screen Media Films
Screen Media Films
-Selected Films:*Noel *Intimate Affaires * *The City of Your Final Destination...
first saw the film.
In the rest of 2009, Formosa Betrayed screened at the 8th Annual San Diego Film Festival where the film won Best Film and Best Actor for James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek
James William Van Der Beek, Jr. is an American television, film, and stage actor, known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery in The WB series Dawson's Creek...
's work in the film. The film was also screened at 10th Annual DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
Asian Pacific American Film, Inc., a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity under 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, produces the annual DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival in the capital of the United States, Washington, DC...
, the 13th Annual Hollywood Film Festival
Hollywood Film Festival
The Hollywood Film Festival is an annual Film festival which is located in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Festival was established in 1997 by Carlos de Abreu and his wife, model Janice Pennington....
, the 33rd Annual Sao Paulo Film Festival, the 18th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival
St. Louis International Film Festival
The St. Louis International Film Festival is an annual film festival in St. Louis, Missouri, which has been running since 1992. The coordinating organization changed its name to "Cinema St. Louis" in 2003...
, and was featured as the centerpiece presentation at the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is a film festival that shows feature films and short films by and about Asian Americans. Its organizers, the nonprofit group Philadelphia Asian American Film and Filmmakers, intend it to be an annual event...
where it was honored with the festival's Audience Award.
Special screening for United States Members of Congress
On September 14, 2009, Formosa Betrayed was screened for members of Congress and their staffs at the NewseumNewseum
The Newseum is an interactive museum of news and journalism located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The seven-level, museum features 15 theaters and 14 galleries. The Newseum's Berlin Wall Gallery includes the largest display of sections of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Presented by the Formosa Foundation, Senator Sherrod Brown
Sherrod Brown
Sherrod Campbell Brown is the senior United States Senator from Ohio and a member of the Democratic Party. Before his election to the U.S. Senate, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 13th congressional district from 1993 to 2007...
(D-Ohio), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1989. She is a member of the Republican Party....
(R-Fla.), Congressmen David Wu
David Wu
David Wu is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 1999 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes most of Portland west of the Willamette River, as well as all of Yamhill, Columbia, Clatsop, and Washington Counties...
(D-OR), and Michael McCaul
Michael McCaul
Michael Thomas McCaul, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from Austin to Houston.-Early life, education and career:...
(R-TX) presented remarks. Congressmen Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
(D-TX) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Gus Bilirakis
Gus Michael Bilirakis is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.- Early life, education and career :...
(R-FL), as well as congressional and professional staff from various House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
committees, were also in attendance.
Formosa Foundation Executive Director Terri Giles said, "Taiwan's democratization is not a 'miracle,' but rather a result of great human sacrifice
by many whose stories inspired the film." Giles added, "This screening is designed to raise awareness among Congressional members, of the historic and
ongoing struggle of the Taiwanese people to build a democratic society."
"Although the film is set in the 1980s in an era known as the "White Terror
White Terror
White Terror is the violence carried out by reactionary groups as part of a counter-revolution. In particular, during the 20th century, in several countries the term White Terror was applied to acts of violence against real or suspected socialists and communists.-Historical origin: the French...
," its underlying theme of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and democracy remains relevant today," producer Will Tiao
Will Tiao
Will Tiao is a Taiwanese American actor and producer. Born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, he worked in the field of international politics before entering the Hollywood scene. Tiao was a cello performance major at the University of Michigan before transferring to Tufts University, where he...
told the audience. "The film provides a critical analysis of the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, as well as current U.S. foreign policy
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
toward this country."
While praising Taiwan for building a prosperous democracy, Senator Brown voiced concern that closer ties with the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
could put this progress at risk. "The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has an interest to help the Taiwanese keep their democracy and freedom," stated Brown.
Distribution
It was announced on October 29, 2009 that Screen Media FilmsScreen Media Films
-Selected Films:*Noel *Intimate Affaires * *The City of Your Final Destination...
had acquired worldwide rights in all media to Formosa Betrayed with the film to be released in theaters in February 2010 in 15-20 North American
North American
North American generally refers to an entity, people, group, or attribute of North America, especially of the United States and Canada together.-Culture:*North American English, a collective term used to describe American English and Canadian English...
cities.
Reception
Formosa Betrayed received mixed reviews upon its release, scoring a median of 8 on IMDB.com, and 52 out of 100 on Metacritic.Blake French of AMC's filmcritic.com praises the film as "a proficient, focused thriller, it begins as a cookie-cutter whodunit and evolves into an informative, interesting interpretation of the complex Taiwan-China relationship." He goes on to describe director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Adam Kane
Adam Kane
Adam Kane is an American cinematographer, film director, television director and producer.Since 1990s, Kane has amassed a number cinematography credits for the films Hail Ceaser, The Boondock Saints, The Man, Skinwalkers and number of other films.In 2005, he transitioned to television directing,...
's handling of the film as "directed with skill and precision, Formosa Betrayed never feels like a heavy handed history lesson, mostly because Kane treats the film like a thriller, not as a political drama."
The Hollywood Reporter wrote "At the heart of the film is the affecting performance of Will Tiao, who also produced and co-wrote the story." His performance represents "the emotional toll on native Taiwanese struggling to be free of foreign control." Tim Cogshell of Boxoffice Magazine remarked on the "exceptional" work of Tiao and all the Asian actors in the cast.
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
says “the movie is a sturdy entry in the paranoid-thriller genre, and raises some interesting issues about our relationship with the country we used to call China.”
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
commends the movie for its in-depth view into international politics stating “Though it's set in 1983, Formosa Betrayeds an appropriate movie for America's current political climate, in which the audacity of hope has turned into a self-involved kind of frustration and despair.”
The Hollywood Reporter placed value on its historical significance: "At its plainspoken best, the U.S.- and Thailand-shot film is an eye-opening history lesson more than an atmospheric thriller. It's nonetheless chilling as it exposes the machinations between countries with no official relationship."
The NY Times had great things to say for Wendy Crewson's role, calling it "the film’s strongest performance."
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
applauds the film for its unique take on storytelling “As a political thriller, “Formosa Betrayed’’ has enough suspense and intrigue to pull viewers along willingly. It doesn’t try too hard, which is refreshing.”
The San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
had a lukewarm review, citing "viewers with a passionate interest in the political history of Taiwan are probably the main audience for Formosa Betrayed. Others will find a competently made but heavy-handed film that's almost sure to remind them of TV fare."
The LA Times saw it as "a mostly pedestrian political thriller... sans thrills".
See also
- Formosa BetrayedFormosa Betrayed (1965 book)Formosa Betrayed is a book written by George H. Kerr, a US diplomatic officer in Taiwan, who witnessed the 228 Incident and the corruption and killings committed by the KMT in Taiwan after World War II.-External links:...
, a book by the same name that was written by George H. KerrGeorge H. KerrGeorge H. Kerr , also known in Taiwan as 葛超智 , was a United States diplomat during World War II, and in later years he was an author and an academic...
.