Untold Herstory

There are pages in a nation’s history that some would prefer buried by the dust of time, giving us even more reason to be reminded of them, to remember them, and to try to prevent them being repeated. In the history of mankind, we shouldn’t forget herstories took place too. One such is brought into focus in this breathtaking drama by acclaimed filmmaker Zero Chou.

It’s 1953 and martial law has been imposed on Taiwan. The White Terror period lasted over four decades, and was alert to slightest hints of dissent. This is a story of female ‘thought prisoners’ confined to Green Island, a penal colony off Taiwan’s eastern coast, who couldn’t stop thinking. They’re only let out of their barracks to sit through ‘re-education’ classes and carry out hard labour. When authorities start forcing prisoners to ‘volunteer’ to demonstrate their dictated patriotism – requiring signatures in blood, anti-communist tattoos upon their bodies – rebellion begins to intensify.

Untold Herstory holds nothing back, shedding warranted light on a story of women’s dignity, humanity and resilience at a time of profound political terror. With powerful, nuanced performances from the three lead actresses, effective use of flashbacks, and a sensitivity to the real lives it’s based on, Untold Herstory is an unflinching portrait of these women’s determination to live.

– Sophie Tupholme

Trailer

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•