Taipei: “A Chip Odyssey,” Taiwan’s first documentary focusing on its semiconductor industry, will premiere nationwide Friday after five years of production during a volatile global period. Chronicling Taiwan’s evolution from an underdog to a pivotal player in the global chip supply chain over the past five decades, director Hsiao Chu-chen aims to “deliver the spirit of the mountain builders” who have driven the nation’s semiconductor advancement.
According to Focus Taiwan, Hsiao, a two-time Golden Horse Award winner for Best Documentary Feature, shared her perspective in an exclusive interview in Taipei. Despite not being an engineer, Hsiao emphasized her ability to analyze history and narrate human stories. Her inspiration emerged at a 2019 memorial for Hu Ding-hua, a key figure in transferring chipmaking expertise from RCA Corp. in the U.S. to Taiwan in the late 1970s, which sparked her interest in documenting Taiwan’s semiconductor history.
The documentary features over 30 individuals connected to the industry’s development, including former TSMC chairman Mark Liu and displaced residents due to new fabrication plants. Hsiao highlighted an emotional interview with Yang Ding-yuan, a leader in the RCA program, who recalled the immense pressure and national responsibility they faced.
Throughout the 1970s, Taiwan navigated significant uncertainty, including the 1979 severance of diplomatic ties with the U.S. However, Hsiao observed a consistent belief among Taiwan’s “mountain builders” in protecting the nation and striving for its betterment. Despite initial concerns about her lack of a technical background, Hsiao found the most challenging aspect of the film to be the rapid shifts in global geopolitics and technological advancements over the past five years.
These shifts led Hsiao to adjust the documentary’s focus, ultimately presenting Taiwan’s situation through the lens of semiconductors. She emphasized the importance of understanding Taiwan’s journey from a minor player to a critical global supplier in the semiconductor industry.
Hsiao hopes the film will inspire Taiwanese audiences to rediscover their strength in protecting the country, drawing from the spirit of those who contributed to its semiconductor rise. By naming the film “Odyssey,” she drew parallels to the ancient Greek epic, highlighting Taiwan’s challenging journey in the semiconductor industry.
Set to screen across Taiwan, the film includes English subtitles for broader accessibility and understanding. Hsiao’s team plans to submit the documentary to major international film festivals to increase exposure. Foreign representative offices in Taiwan have also shown interest in screenings in their respective countries, with plans currently underway.
Hsiao aspires for international audiences to appreciate Taiwan’s manufacturing capabilities and global influence, achieved through the diligent efforts of its people. She hopes they will recognize the island’s significance in the Pacific and the hard work that has led to its current standing.