TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Controversy surrounding the film “The Century Bloodshed” intensified Tuesday as three leading actors issued a joint statement demanding that their names, likenesses, and performances not be used, in an effort to block the film’s release.
Lead actors Jian Man-shu (簡嫚書), Hsia Teng-hung (夏騰宏), and River Huang (黃河) said the production company deliberately concealed the fact that it had not obtained authorization from Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) and his family. They also alleged that controversial portions of the script were withheld from them before they signed on to the project, per CNA.
The actors said they have each retained legal counsel and are demanding that the production company immediately cease using their names, voices, images, performances, or any related promotional activities connected to the film.
Lin, a longtime opposition figure and later DPP chair, was standing trial on Feb. 28, 1980, when unidentified assailants entered his home and killed his mother and his six-year-old twin daughters. The case remains unsolved, though suspicion has long focused on elements within the then-ruling KMT’s martial law-era government.
In a separate statement posted on social media, the three actors reiterated that the production company failed to disclose that it had not received authorization from Lin or other involved parties and their families. They apologized for any secondary harm caused to society and to the victims’ families and expressed their deepest regret.
According to the actors, they repeatedly asked the production team before signing contracts whether proper authorization had been obtained. They said the company not only gave explicit assurances but also included guarantees in the contracts stating that all necessary legal permissions were in place.
Had they known authorization was lacking, the actors said they would not have accepted the roles. They added that the production company’s actions have caused serious harm to them and their families.
“The Century Bloodshed” was jointly produced by Feisitu Culture and Entertainment Co., Ltd. and Feng Shang International Culture Media Ltd., with a planned release in 2027. Producer Kuo Mu-sheng (郭木盛) said Tuesday that the film’s release has been postponed indefinitely.
