Taipei, March 31 (CNA) A Taiwanese film billing itself as "the first Asian hip-hop movie" will be released April 7, giving an in-depth look at street dance subculture in Taiwan while hoping to revive a passion for Taiwanese films at the box office.
"Chocolate Rap," which is directed by Lee Chi Y., chose the uncommon theme of the break dance culture in Taiwan. In the film, a group of young men pursue the dream of being the best break dancers, and deal with the ups and downs along the way.
Lee became interested in Taiwan's street dance culture in 2004 and started to conceive of the film's concept after visiting more than 80 break dance gatherings with the help of a young dancer nicknamed "Chocolate," after whom the film was titled.
The film was produced with the cooperation of both Hollywood and Taiwanese crews, a rarity in Taiwanese film-making.
"I believe this film progresses with a faster pace and has a lighter atmosphere compared to most Taiwanese films," said Lee.
Lee said several U.S.-based film experts contributed expertise in photography, lighting and sound effects in the making of the film and helped develop an exchange between Taiwan and U.S. cinemas.
"Hopefully, a youth-oriented film will bring people back to the theaters and rekindle a passion for Taiwanese films, which has been subdued for some time," said Minister of Government Information Office (GIO) Cheng Wen-tsang at a press conference Friday.
"Chocolate Rap" received an NT$8 million subsidy from the GIO, which is trying to help local film-makers through financing.
Echoing the same line of reasoning, Lee said: "I don't want my film to be shown at film festivals or libraries so much. I want it to be received by the general public. That's why I make movies."
"Chocolate Rap" features leading actress Megan Lai, a model/singer, and lead actor Chen Hsin-hung, who is among a group of young dancers -- known as "Break Boys" in hip-hop culture -- that had no previous film-making experience. The film premieres April 4.