TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Minister of Culture Lee Yuan (李遠) on Sunday criticized an unauthorized film in production about the unsolved Lin family murders during the Martial Law era, calling it “extremely inappropriate” and warning it could distort a pivotal chapter of the nation’s history.
The film, titled “The Century Bloodbath” (世紀血案), was produced without consulting human rights activist Lin Yi-hsiung (林義雄), whose mother and twin daughters were killed in the 1980 attack. Lee said the failure to contact Lin risks arbitrary interpretations that could “trample on Taiwanese history and its people,” according to CNA.
Lee made the remarks ahead of the closing ceremony of the Taipei International Book Exhibition. He said the Lin family massacre, along with the killing of mathematician Chen Wen-cheng (陳文成), represents some of the most tragic events in Taiwan’s history.
Lin, an opposition politician and later DPP chair, was on trial on Feb. 28, 1980, when unknown assailants entered his home and killed his mother and six-year-old twin daughters. The case remains unsolved, though suspicion has long centered on elements within the then-ruling KMT’s martial law government.
In response to the criticism, the film’s joint producers, Feisitu Culture and Entertainment Co. Ltd. and Feng Shang International Culture Media Ltd., issued a statement apologizing for the lack of consultation, per CNA.
“We absolutely meant no disrespect. We were unable to visit and consult (Lin) at the earliest opportunity,” the statement said. “In the future, with respect as our premise, we will proactively explain and humbly listen to any opinions or guidance.”
Lee said Taiwan’s film industry typically does not require prior approval or involve censorship. Still, he raised concerns that the production lacked the consent of those involved and is entangled in disputes between actors and the production company, which could lead to serious legal problems. He also said the producers have a record of defaming historical figures and events in previous works.
Asked whether the film might be backed by China, Lee said he was unsure, noting the producers had previously been involved with “The Shooting of 319” (幻術), which revisited the 2004 shooting of then-President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) on the eve of the presidential election.
Critics said that the film contained misleading content that demeaned Taiwanese people. Lee said he was angered by the film, adding that if a similar approach were taken with a film about the Lin family, it would amount to another act of harming Taiwanese society and rewriting history.
Lee said difficulties in promoting transitional justice stem from society’s long-standing failure to fully understand the truth, weakening younger generations’ awareness of major historical events. He emphasized that the Lin family massacre holds immense historical significance and should not be interpreted arbitrarily.
