Abramorama has acquired North American theatrical rights to Vanessa Hope‘s feature-length documentary “Invisible Nation.”
The 85-minute doc investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. The docu follows Tsai as she seeks full international recognition of Taiwan’s right to exist. Hope captured Tsai’s two consecutive terms, during which the president performed a delicate balancing act. She bolstered Taiwan’s right to sovereignty, forging closer collaboration with the U.S., while avoiding direct provocation of China amid rising worries about the country’s aggression.
At a time when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the ever-present threat of authoritarian aggression, “Invisible Nation” brings focus to the struggle of Taiwan as it fights for its democracy and its future.
“I was not alone in knowing that the story of Taiwan needed to be told, but I never anticipated that peace would be this fragile, and the urgency of our film would become so critical,” says Hope.
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A longstanding expert on U.S. and China relations — which Hope first depicted in her 2015 debut doc “All Eyes and Ears” — Hope produced the film alongside and her husband, veteran producer Ted Hope, who has been in the indie trenches since 1990, when he founded Good Machine, the label behind indie classics including Ang Lee’s “The Ice Storm” and Todd Solondz’s “Happiness.”
“The people of Taiwan are real-life superheroes, as are the festivals and programmers who embraced us,” he says. “As President Tsai makes clear, ‘China did not want this story told,’ and that was enough to scare some people off. ‘Truth to power’ films are now at risk, but I am willing to bet audiences everywhere are inspired by this story.”
PvNew’s film critic Richard Kuipers wrote about the film: “The paradox interrogated in ‘Invisible Nation‘ is how such a vibrant, multi-party democracy now finds itself so diplomatically isolated, fighting for its future as a self-ruled country. With a large and impressive roster of Taiwanese and international interviewees surrounding the central footage of Tsai at home and rallying support abroad, Hope and her editors guide viewers clearly through major historical and contemporary events that have made Taiwan such a political hotspot.”
“Invisible Nation” made its world premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival in October 2023. From there, the docu screened at various U.S. film festivals including the Hamptons and Mill Valley. The film was selected to play at international documentary festivals including CPH:DOX and IDFA where the film had its European premiere.
Abramorama will open “Invisible Nation” in New York City on May 31 at the Quad Cinema followed by additional cities nationwide. A multi-theater engagement in Los Angeles will begin on June 20 at the Laemmle Glendale, moving to the Laemmle Royal on June 21. Screenings will be followed by Q&As with the filmmakers and special guests.
“American audiences will be wide-eyed watching ‘Invisible Nation’ and will quickly come to understand the importance of Taiwan on the global stage,” says Abramorama CEO Karol Martesko-Fenster.
“Invisible Nation producer Ivan Orlic of Seine Pictures adds: “It’s an honor to work alongside Ted and Vanessa Hope in telling the untold story of Taiwan’s transition from autocracy to democracy, and in doing so giving a voice to some of the many determined individuals who’ve boldly taken a stand to preserve freedom, protect personal liberties, and maintain peace for their country and everyone in it. With the North American release of this film, we hope to raise awareness about Taiwan’s story and plight and to support a growing movement standing to protect the ideals of democracy around the world.
In addition to Orlic, Vanessa and Ted Hope, “Invisible Nation” was produced by Sylvia Feng and Cassandra Jabola.
Watch the trailer below.
