Island Nation Explained

Native Name:
Child:yes
Hide:no
Header:none
P:Guójì Qiáopái Shè
W:Kok‑chè-kiô-pâi-siā
Genre:Historical drama
Political drama
Director:Lin Shi-zhang, Lin Long-yin
Starring:Akira Chen
Chia-Kuei Chen
Yuu Chen
Kurt Chou
Johnny Lu
Ricie Fun
Yang Lie
Mario Pu
Chen Jia-kui
An Jun-peng
Country:Taiwan
Language:Mandarin
Taiwanese Hokkien
English
Num Episodes:20
Producer:Wang Yi-xin, Xiong Jiu-shan
Location:Taipei
Company:Marktwain Production
Network:Far EasTone
Public Television Service

Island Nation (Chinese: 國際橋牌社) is a Taiwanese political drama based on Taiwan's transition from an authoritarian state to a democracy in the 1990s.[1] The series will include 80 episodes over 8 seasons,[2] with the first season premiering on 20 January 2020.[3] The second season, Island Nation 2, debuted on 12 September 2021.[4]

Production

was spent on the first season, with the Ministry of Culture subsidizing in production costs. A replica of the Presidential Office Building was built at a Republic of China Navy base in Taoyuan, while the presidential inauguration scene was filmed in the building itself.[5]

Casting was a challenge, as several local actors and actresses declined roles in the series, for fear of compromising their ability to work in China.

Critical reception

Cinema Escapist described Island Nation as "one of the most compelling series in Taiwanese entertainment history thus far", noting the contrast to the apolitical stance and self-censorship undertaken by many Taiwanese entertainers in order to access China's media market.[6] The second season of the series was promoted by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen on an Instagram post.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yeh. Chieh-Ting. 2021-09-24. Weaving Fiction With Reality: Interview with Island Nation Producer Isaac Wang. 2021-09-29. Ketagalan Media. en-US.
  2. Web site: Yang. Sophia. 2019-11-27. Netflix undecided on whether to air Taiwan's 'House of Cards' . 2021-09-29. Taiwan News.
  3. Web site: Cole. J. Michael. 2020-01-17. Taiwan's Highly Anticipated Historical TV Drama 'Island Nation' to Premiere on 20 January. 2021-09-29. Taiwan Insight. en.
  4. Web site: Chiang. Stephanie. 2021-09-19. Taiwan president promotes 2nd season of 'Island Nation' series . 2021-09-29. Taiwan News.
  5. Web site: Strong. Matthew. 2019-04-20. Taiwanese 'House of Cards' shoots inside Presidential Office Building. 2021-09-29. Taiwan News.
  6. Web site: Kao. Anthony. 2020-03-19. With "Island Nation," Taiwan Finally Has A Political Drama. 2021-09-29. Cinema Escapist. en.