A Taiwanese film festival looks set to ruffle feathers in mainland China after organizers said they would screen a controversial documentary about Rebiya Kadeer, the exiled leader of the ethnic Uighur group, whom the Chinese consider a dangerous separatist.
The Kaohsiung Film Festival is scheduled to show "The 10 Conditions of Love" about Kadeer, who heads the World Uighur Congress.
The Melbourne Film Festival’s decision last month to screen the Kadeer biopic caused an uproar, with Chinese helmers boycotting the event.
Relations across the Strait of Taiwan have improved markedly since last year’s election of President Ma Ying-jeou, who takes a more pro-China line than his independence-minded predecessor Chen Shui-bian.
However, screening the Kadeer film is likely to annoy Beijing, which was angered by Taiwan’s decision to allow Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama — another dangerous separatist in Beijing’s book — to visit the areas devastated by Typhoon Morakot to comfort victims last week.
Some of the worst affected areas were around the city of Kaohsiung, where the fest is being held.
This also happens to be a stronghold of support for Chen’s pro-independence party, which favors a complete break with the mainland. China considers Taiwan a renegade province to be re-united by force if necessary.
The fest will host more than 70 films from around the world. It runs Oct. 16 to 29.
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