The '2026 Golden Horse Classic Film Festival: Billy Wilder 120th Anniversary Tribute' in Taichung, co-organized by the Taichung Film and Television Development Foundation and the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee, officially opened on the 5th at the Viacom Cinema in iFG Farglory Plaza, Taichung. Film enthusiasts in Taichung can enjoy 25 masterpieces by the legendary director, along with a series of specially curated 'Taichung-exclusive' events. The youth-focused program 'The First Film Class for Movie Lovers' has already reached full capacity, while seven engaging post-screening lectures will be held throughout the festival to serve central Taiwan's cinephile community. Limited tickets remain for select screenings, and audiences are encouraged to secure their seats promptly.
The Taichung Film and Television Development Foundation highlights Billy Wilder as one of Hollywood's greatest and most versatile writer-directors. This retrospective features iconic films such as 'Sunset Boulevard,' 'Sabrina,' 'The Seven Year Itch,' 'Some Like It Hot,' and 'The Apartment,' alongside rare titles seldom seen in Taiwan. Since the program's announcement, numerous films have sparked passionate discussions among fans, with many declaring them 'must-watch.' These include 'Double Indemnity,' hailed as the perfect example of film noir; 'The Mistress,' adapted from a short story by 'Queen of Crime' Agatha Christie; 'One, Two, Three,' a sharp political satire about a CEO's daughter falling for a Communist; 'The Fortune Cookie,' marking the first on-screen collaboration of comedy duo Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; and 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes,' widely regarded by fans as the finest cinematic adaptation of the detective.
The Taichung City Government's Information Bureau added that, to further promote film education, a series of special activities have been designed for local audiences. This Friday (8/7), the youth program 'The First Film Class for Movie Lovers' has received overwhelming response and is now fully booked. Not to be missed are seven post-screening lectures, including a talk by Huang Chien-hao and Hsiao Tung-i of 'Howl Opera,' recent winners of the Taipei Theatre Award for Best Musical, who will analyze the chemistry between Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in 'The Fortune Cookie.' Additionally, Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Director Manohla Dargis, curator Chen Chun-jung, and film scholar Yu Chang-min will lead in-depth discussions on classics such as 'One, Two, Three,' 'Double Indemnity,' 'Some Like It Hot,' 'Sunset Boulevard,' 'The Apartment,' and 'Ace in the Hole.'
To encourage audience participation, the foundation continues its popular rewards program. Attendees will receive a unique movie sticker for each screening. Collecting 10 different stickers from the '2026 Golden Horse Classic Film Festival CinePass+' and completing official verification upgrades participants to 'Classic Member' status, granting immediate access to exclusive ticket discounts and a raffle entry. Prizes include dining vouchers from 'Louis Chi Catering Group' brands such as 'Yakiniku Masamune' and 'Louis Chi Power Company,' a single-person meal voucher from the omakase yakiniku brand 'Ushihana Taichung Gongyi Store,' and a copy of the new book 'How to Truly Understand Cinema' by Yuan Dian Publishing. Taichung attendees receive an extra perk: the first 30 participants to collect 10 different CinePass+ stickers will also receive limited-edition merchandise, including a cooler bag and cushion from the Zhongshan 73 Film and Art Space, enhancing the viewing experience with added fun and surprises.
The '2026 Golden Horse Classic Film Festival: Billy Wilder 120th Anniversary Tribute' in Taichung runs from August 5 to August 16. For the latest updates, visit the Golden Horse Film Festival official website (https://www.goldenhorse.org.tw) or the Taichung Film and Television Development Foundation website (https://www.tfdf.org.tw).
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- Source: PR Times
- Category: Event