“Cape No. 7” was the best sell Taiwan movie and broke Taiwan box selling record in 2008. The director, Wei Te-Sheng, then continue to win the Golden Horse Awards with his documentary movie Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale in 2011. How did the legend begin and what happened before he became a nationwide famous director? Invited by Taipei Tech, Director Wei came to campus to share his story with students and faculties. According to China Times interview with Wei, the latest movie of him “52Hz, I love you” is actually very much describing Wei’s life before people started to notice him because of “Cape No. 7”. In the interview, Wei said that he put all his savings into making the film at that time and his wife was the primary wage earner for eight years. Although his wife did try to talk him out of the movie business, she still supported him after all when she read his scripts and saw his efforts.

President Wenlung Li noted that Director Wei used his camera and stories to spread the wisdom and knowledge of Taiwan history to the public and it is Taipei Tech’s honor to have him talk to our students. Just as the Red House Monument stands in Taipei Tech’s over ten-decade campus to mark the school’s past and present, we all need history to prove our own existence, added by Li before he finished open address.

The interview was conducted by Li-ling Zheng, Director of the Department of Cultural and Vocational Development, and Louis Lo, Associate Professor of the Department of English. During the interview, Wei mentioned that it took him two years entering the movie industry. It wasn’t an easy path but nothing is too difficult to complete once you start to try. For Wei, every movie has a core idea and target audience. “Cape No. 7” is made for those Wei referred as “loser” who can’t fulfill their dreams. “52 Hz I love you” is for those who feels lonely. When asked about the meaning of “52 Hz”, Wei shared a little story with us. In 1993, America found a frequency at 52 Hz and wondered how it came. So they dig in and surprisingly discovered that the origin of the unique frequency is a whale. The average frequency of a whale is between 25-35 Hz, therefore this whale can’t communicate and find its kind since it makes different sound. After 20 years of tracking, researcher said that it is still alone. Wei used 52 Hz as a metaphor for lonely people. By making this film, he wanted to tell them, they are not alone.

Before the end of interview, Wei provided some hearty advices for Taipei Tech’s students. This young generation is filled of creativity because of all the easy-access information and stimulations. The key capabilities for winners are communication skills and organizing skills. He also encouraged students to use their spare time properly, even if you are stuck into some job that you don’t really enjoy in. There are 24 hours in one day, 8 for sleeping and 8 for working, you still have 8 for the things you truly loved. Applauses lasted for a long time for the determinate artist as a signature of gratitude for his gentle yet powerful words.