The groundbreaking Taiwan-produced historical drama Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale makes its complete mainland debut this week, with Part I screening from December 12 and Part II following on December 13. This marks the first mainland presentation of the film's original two-part format since its 2011 Taiwan release.
Director Wei Te-sheng's 276-minute epic chronicles the 1930 Wushe Rebellion, where indigenous Seediq people resisted Japanese colonial forces. The release coincides with the 80th anniversary commemorations of both Taiwan's recovery and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression victory.
Mainland audiences previously saw only a condensed 153-minute version in 2012. Cultural commentators note the full restoration offers deeper insight into cross-strait historical narratives through its unflinching portrayal of colonial-era struggles.
The screening comes as cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait continue expanding. Film scholars highlight the production's technical achievements, including dialogue recorded in the endangered Seediq language and consultation with indigenous communities.
Beijing's National Film Museum will host special screenings with academic discussions about the film's historical context and preservation of Taiwan's indigenous cultural heritage.
