Will Tiao blazing a trail for Taiwanese from politics to entertainment promoting Taiwan

Reporter: Shi Fang-Ling/interview

(Translated from http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2006/new/aug/30/today-show5.htm)

Though born in the U.S., Will Tiao speaks Mandarin Chinese and, perhaps even more fluently, Taiwanese. This year, when he landed a part as a mob boss on the hit television show "Mad TV," the director of the show wanted him to speak Mandarin or Cantonese. Instead, Tiao spoke Taiwanese throughout the show, which went over the head of the director, and delighted Taiwanese-American viewers.

Ten years in US politics

Tiao has followed an unusual road to Hollywood. Before breaking into the entertainment industry, he battled in the political arena for ten years; working on a project to help Taiwan enter the UN, and personally drafting a bill for the US government that would give Taiwan permanent normal trade status.

Four years ago, when Tiao decided to leave his high powered career in Washington to enter into the uncertain world of Hollywood, his shocked parents thought he was crazy. But after telling his mother and father that he wanted to do something that brought wide-spread, positive attention to Taiwan, they gave him their blessings. Despite having lived and grown up in the U.S., Tiao knows Taiwan's history perhaps better than most Taiwanese living on the island. It is through utilizing this knowledge that he hopes to bring the positive attention to Taiwan that he spoke of with his parents.

Shooting film with a Taiwan theme

With the support of his parents, Tiao wrote the story, "Formosa Betrayed." As a Taiwanese- American, he had long dreamed of shooting a movie using Taiwan's history as contextual background. The time of the White Terror period became his top choice, as it was an important emotional turning point in Taiwan's democratization.

Tiao established "Formosa Films, LLC" in Los Angeles and devotes his time and energy to producing the film. He wants the world to know the story of the Taiwanese fight for freedom.

Receiving two big awards

Tiao is a talented actor and last year received two awards from the FAIF LA Film Festival, bringing home the awards for "Best Short Film" and "Best of Festival" for his film, "A Starbucks Story," which he wrote, produced and starred in.

Tiao has toured 20 cities in North America and given numerous speeches to help raise funds for the "Formosa Betrayed" project. He said that he was touched by the enthusiasm of overseas Taiwanese who will do anything to promote their motherland. This enthusiasm in the community has translated into money supporting the movie. Tiao wants to raise all of the money for the film in the Taiwanese community in order to maintain control of the story.

Tiao plans to roll out "Formosa Betrayed" into theaters in 2008 to coincide with two pivotal international events that will draw attention to the film: Taiwan's president election and the Olympic Games in Beijing. Focusing the world's attention on Taiwan's history will help people to better understand Taiwan's continued fight for recognition.

Return to Press | http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2006/new/aug/30/today-show5.htm