Excitement builds for Taipei Film Festival closer ‘Marching Boys’

Excitement builds for Taipei Film Festival closer ‘Marching Boys’

2025-08-25

The closing selection of this year’s Taipei Film Festival, “Marching Boys,” follows the true story of the marching band at Taipei’s Chien Kuo High School. The members practice outside in the searing heat, playing trumpet shirtless. Clips from the movie have caused a stir online, getting over 500,000 hits. Tickets are already hard to come by, the limited screenings instantly selling out. Some scalpers have even started selling them online for three times the price.

Who said that Chien Kuo High students only know how to study? The movie “Marching Boys” depicts the true story of the world-champion Chien Kuo High School marching band. Facing the imminent dissolution of their group, the members band together, challenge the system, and pursue their dreams.

Kao Tzu-han
FTV reporter
To be screened later this month, “Marching Boys” tells the story of the Chien Kuo High marching band. Limited showings at theaters across Taiwan have sold out in seconds. Scalpers online are selling them for three times the price. Even before it’s been released, this tale of youthful passion has caused a stir.

This clip of the students marching and playing their instruments shirtless has gotten over 500,000 views online. Filming of this eye-catching scene happened in winter. Apart from learning the steps and the extensive physical training, the biggest challenge for this new crop of actors was learning the instruments.

Ray Jiang
Director
They’re practicing marching band, so of course they’ll sweat. And when they’re hot, they’ll take off their shirts and give everyone a glimpse of their excellent physiques.

The film recounts how the group of Chien Kuo High students created a marching band, forming unbreakable bonds of mentorship and friendship between them. It’s also the first time the story of a marching band has been brought to the silver screen in Asia. The director wanted to focus on the boys’ determination to grow and break out of the frameworks set for them.

Member of public
I’ve heard of it. If I recall, in his freshman year he tested into the top of his cohort. Very impressive. He also spent a lot of time practicing, but still didn’t fall behind on his studies.

Member of public
My high school had a marching band. They practiced no matter the weather. When it rained, they went to the gym, and on sunny days they practiced out on the field.

Apart from depicting the students’ coming-of-age, the film also culminates in the grand “100-piece marching band” competition. Chock full of nostalgia, this brand-new film will surely stoke sweet memories of childhood for many.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#MarchingBoys #TaipeiFilmFestival #Taiwanfilm #marchingband #ChienKuoHigh #movie #newrelease #nostalgia #comingofage

北影閉幕片"進行曲"首映重現建中樂旗熱血故事

2025-08-25

今年台北電影節閉幕片"進行曲"，描述建中樂旗隊校園熱血故事。劇中年輕演員在大熱天苦練，裸露上半身練吹奏喇叭，如今在網路上造成轟動，不僅點閱率圖破50萬瀏覽，電影搶先口碑場現在一票難求，各地限定場都瞬間秒殺，有網友發現，黃牛票在網上售價炒高三倍。

誰說建中生只會讀書，國片"進行曲"，改編自世界大賽冠軍，建中樂旗聯隊的真實故事。一群高中少年在社團即將廢除情況下，集結夥伴、挑戰體制、堅持夢想。

[[民視記者高子涵]]
“月底才要上映的電影進行曲，以高中樂旗聯隊為題材，全台各地限定口碑場票券秒殺，現在網路上還出現價格翻3倍的黃牛票，熱血青春的國片，未演先轟動”

打赤膊行進演奏、擊鼓，就是這畫面在網路突破50萬瀏覽。養眼鏡頭其實在冬天拍攝，新生代演員除了要背行進步伐走位圖，進行大量體能訓練，最大挑戰就是苦練樂器。

[[導演姜瑞智]]
“練行進管樂嘛，所以一定會流汗，其實熱就會脫，會讓你們露一下你們健美的身材”

故事講述建中樂隊變成建中樂旗隊的過程，學長學弟亦師亦友的情誼，也是亞洲電影首次將行進管樂故事搬上大銀幕，導演聚焦高中生成長、突破框架的決心。

[[民眾]]
“我認識的，高一好像有考過類組排名前幾的，就也很厲害，他花很多時間練習，然後課業還可以照顧到”

[[民眾]]
“我以前高中就有樂旗隊，不分天氣都要練，雨天在體育館晴天就在操場練”

電影中除了男孩們的青春成長，也呈現氣勢磅礴的百人行進管樂大賽。全新題材國片上映，想必勾起無數人的青春回憶。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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It wasn’t a gun this one Yunlin scavenger found. It was something even more dangerous—a bomb! In Citong Township, a 70-year-old scrap collector scavenged two rusty unexploded ordinances. A resident called the police after noticing white smoke rising from the junkyard. To show the officers that it wouldn’t explode, the man threw it to the ground at their feet twice, sending bystanders running for cover.

When the police arrived at the scene, this bare-chested scrap collector still kept on talking. Bystanders warned the officer to stand back while pleading with the man to put the shell down slowly. Everyone tenses as he takes no heed, throwing it to the ground to prove it would not explode.

Despite scaring everyone half to death, he proceeded to pick it up and throw it to the ground once again.

The others urgently and angrily plead with the man as they keep their distance. This 70-year-old scavenger in Yunlin’s Citong Township surnamed Hung discovered the unexploded ordinance near the bank of the Zhuoshui River and brought it back to his stash. In the hot weather, a neighbor noticed white smoke rising from the pile and reported it.

Ho Wen-ting
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An outdoor scrap heap in Citong Township’s Wuhua Village caught on fire. Emergency responders were promptly dispatched to respond, finding two suspected unexploded ordinances. They immediately cordoned off the area for safety.

The neighbors were deeply concerned about the situation, but Hung didn’t seem worried in the slightest.

Mr. Hung
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There’s no gunpowder. It’ll be fine after it burns off.

The 30cm-long ordinances Hung scavenged are suspected to be from an M116 howitzer, potentially used for training by troops with “Project Starlight.” Military personnel covered them with a blast blanket and removed them to be safely destroyed. They also made it clear to the man that he should not continue to be so callous when collecting things.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Old Kaohsiung Station building gets 2-hour light show every evening

The old Kaohsiung Station building appears to be abandoned when a passer-by saw that its lights were off. The sight was all the more shocking, considering that it’s also a historic landmark placed proudly in the city’s central axis. Turns out it was only a misunderstanding, because around the end of July, the building now has a projection light show every evening from 7 to 9. The passer-by merely caught the few minutes before the show began.

A passer-by driving past Zhongshan Road in Kaohsiung saw that all lights were off at the old train station building.

But still, that didn’t stop some visitors from taking pictures with the building. But for the station, located right in the heart of the city, to have its lights out seems a little bleak indeed.

Kaohsiung resident
It should be lit up at night, otherwise we can’t see what makes Kaohsiung unique.

Kaohsiung resident
It looks better if it’s lit up, because I think this is our city’s landmark.

The old Kaohsiung Station building was designated as a historic site. As a landmark in central Kaohsiung, it has always been lit up at night. The view is especially attractive after dark, with some saying the view now resembles Tokyo’s famous Omotesandō. With the lights out, it does look a little lackluster.

Chang Po-yang
Kaohsiung City Councilor (Independent)
Some people believe that it’s quite a pity that whenever they pass by, they see that the historic building is still not being renovated, even more so considering that this historic site is also placed on the city’s central axis.

In response, the Railway Bureau clarified that the building is no longer being lit up at all hours in the evening because there’s now a light projection show on the site every evening from 7 to 9.

Wang chun-hsuan
Southern Region Engineering Branch Office, Railway Bureau
It’s probably because of timing. In order to ensure the quality of the light show, we do switch off the lights at the old station building temporarily.

After railway tracks in Kaohsiung were moved underground, the old train station building was moved back to the city’s central axis, as it was during the Japanese colonial era. Now, the old station building is welcoming a brighter future with the regular light projection show.

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Diners praise steak restaurant for encouraging staff to sit during downtime

People working in the service industry are expected to stand for hours on end. But as the workforce gets older, employers around the world are adapting to their needs. A vintage steakhouse in Taipei in a recent Facebook post informed their customers that the waiters may sit and rest when not busy, drawing thousands of likes and comments from people impressed with their compassion.

During the lunch rush, waiters bustle between the kitchen and dining room, busily serving customers. A few days prior, the restaurant posted a notice online.

In the notice, it said that employees at this steak restaurant would be sitting during down times, as they believe that “good service comes from those who feel respected.” The post got lots of support.

Customer
It’s great. They don’t need to be standing all the time, anyway. They’re very sympathetic to their staff.

Customer
It isn’t much use to keep standing when there aren’t any customers. If they can sit down, at least it would make them happier, and the service will naturally be better.

Dine-in customers had only good things to say about this policy. Commenters online also said that if the staff are treated well, they’ll treat the customers well, and wished that every restaurant would do the same. But at the start, the staff were reluctant to take advantage of the offer.

Waiter
At first, we thought it was rude to sit, because we’ve never done it before. But then we thought it’s a really thoughtful idea. It shows the boss cares.

Hsu Yung-tsang
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Taiwan’s service industry has long believed that waiters should always stand to the side. But I’ve always thought it’s hard work. I always tell my staff that the important thing is to provide good service. The point isn’t to exhaust people. So if you don’t have to, I say don’t tire them out.

As the workforce ages, businesses are breaking the old assumption that standing at the ready is the way to convey sincerity. Along this new line of thinking, businesses can keep both their employees and customers happy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Viral post claims simple trick to turning instant noodles into gourmet ramen

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Wang Chia-lin
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Are you tired of the same old instant noodles? Someone online discovered a creative way to change it up. Just take a bag of scallion beef noodles and add a coffee creamer. They said it tastes just like a famous Japanese ramen brand.

Add some bok choy to this these classic instant beef noodles and after bringing it to a boil, just add a coffee creamer. People online are saying the combo tastes just like Ichiran, inspiring thousands to try for themselves.

Member of public
It’s actually pretty similar. If by the end of the month I’m really craving it, but I have no money, I could consider having this.

Member of public
I can understand why people are saying it’s like Ichiran. The soup is rich. I’d say it’s 60 to 70% there.

Member of public
It’s nothing alike. How? How is it similar? Don’t just add any random weird thing. Just an egg is fine...

Instant noodle modifications have been a hot topic for a while now. People have also suggested adding noodles to sugar-free soy milk, or pouring boiling soy milk into spicy vegetarian noodles to elevate the experience.

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I’ve tried adding pudding to minced pork noodles. It’s disgusting. Really horrible.

Member of public
Adding milk to spicy noodles is great. I always make it that way. From an urban legend.

There’s no end to urban legends for how to prepare instant noodles. Some are hated and some are loved, but which method suits your taste? Just try it to find out!

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Taiwan has emerged as the champion at the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The game saw a world regional champion, Taiwan, face off against the US champion. Dong Yuan Elementary School’s team represented the Asia-Pacific and played against a team from the US Mountain State of Nevada. They won against the US team 7-0 and bagged the champion title for Taiwan after 29 years.

Taiwan won the Little League Baseball World Series championship against the US regional champion 7-0, for the first time in 29 years. It’s also the 18th time for Taiwan to win the championship. The young players and their coaches hugged each other excitedly after the game ended. The crowd also erupted in cheers at the team’s crowning moment.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Taiwanese team scored first with a walk and two wild pitches from the opponent. And at the bottom of the third inning, Tsai Yu-ko successfully touched the ball, causing the US team to make an error, and winning another game.

Taiwan’s Lin Chin-tse showed off his impressive ability in both hitting and pitching. He pitched a perfect game through the first four innings. He persisted until he allowed a single in the top of the fifth inning with one out, and the game ended at 4.1 innings. Lin ultimately pitched five innings without losing any points, and in his at-bat, he hit a base-clearing triple in the bottom of the fifth.

In the top of the sixth inning, Chen Chi-sheng took to the mound from the bench. With two outs already and victory in hand, their 33-year-old young pitching coach Luo Cheng-yu suddenly called a timeout and walked onto the pitcher’s mound.

After Dong Yuan Elementary School won the championship, head coach Lai Min-nan shed tears of joy at the press conference. He’s been training the kids for 32 years to finally witness this moment.

Lai Min-nan
Taipei Dong Yuan Elementary School head coach
After we won four games in a row, the kids became more and more confident. They showed their confidence and strength in Williamsport in front of so many spectators. In the end, we got what we wanted. With our planned pitchers and lineup, we shut out our opponents and won the championship.

The Dong Yuan Elementary School Little League team will fly back to Taiwan at 6 p.m. on the 30th for a heroes’ homecoming.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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