Wanhua basks in movie limelight

Taipei's Wanhua district is welcoming more visitors of late, after its star turn in “Monga,” a movie named after the area's former moniker.

A story about teens who get caught up in gang wars in 1980s Wanhua, the movie has made at least NT$200 million (US$6.2 million) at the box office and looks set to emulate top-grossing Taiwanese movie “Cape No. 7,” which made NT$530 million in 2008.

Its popularity has rubbed off on Wanhua, just a stone's throw from Taipei's Hsimenting, a youth hangout known as Taiwan's Harajuku.

“We have not collected figures, but from what we have observed, there are more visitors. Shops and stalls in the area have also seen better business,” said Anne Tien of Taipei city government's information and tourism department.

A stall selling squid soup has seen its takings grow after it was featured in the film, Taiwan media reported.

When The Straits Times dropped in recently at the district's Bo Pi Liao street, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty, a guide was leading a group of visitors through the sets used in the movie.

“This is one of Taipei's better-preserved old streets. This used to be a gathering place for weddings, funerals and religious processions,” volunteer guide Lin Tai Yi, 72, told The Straits Times.

The district is called Monga, after the rafts Taiwan's aboriginals used to get to market to trade with Chinese merchants. The area was renamed Wanhua during the Japanese colonial period.

Monga the movie has raised the profile of Wanhua, just as hit movie “Cape No. 7” increased interest in Hengchun in southern Taiwan, where it was filmed.

While “Monga” has been lauded for adding buzz to both the Taiwanese movie industry and Wanhua, it has also drawn barbs for its depiction of violence and profanity.

Some critics are concerned that the movie has reinforced negative stereotypes of Wanhua as a place of crime and prostitution.

Lin believes there has been much ado about nothing. It is just a movie and its depiction of gang fights is nothing compared with those in Hong Kong movies, he said.

“Wanhua's sleazy past is far removed now after the city government cleaned up the area,” he said.

Anyway, which place does not have a past? asked Li Yi Hua, 50, a security guard who works in the area.

“Every place has its share of crime, it's just a matter of degree,” he said.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email