Mazu Procession: Taiwan Must-See Documentary Movie 2014

Producer/Director/Actor

Richie Ren

Synopsis

Mazu is Taiwan’s most unique and important folk belief. Every year in spring, Zhenlan Temple in Dajia, Taichung, organize Taiwan’s biggest religious parade, 9 days 8 nights of Mazu procession across 4 counties, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi. With total journey over 340 km to visit more than 100 temples, this procession attracts millions of worshippers from Taiwan and abroad to participate. Mazu procession together with Moslem’s Hajj and India’s Baptism of the Ganges are the world’s three major religious events that should be considered as one of cultural event that Taiwan must be proud of.

(translated from www.facebook.com/MazuProcession）

Source of picture：www.facebook.com/MazuProcession

As a foreigner, enjoy this documentary movie definitely is an eye-opener experience for me. Some people say that Taiwan’s most beautiful scenery is the kindness of Taiwan people’s heart, and this movie proves everything. Richie Ren traveled across the county to fully participate in the whole journey and use a more relaxed approach to introduce Mazu Procession. Therefore, not only he can describe Mazu Procession in a detailed way, but he can also personally experience a faithful journey, let the audience feel Taiwan’s the most lovely human touch. In every county where Mazu Holy Palanquin traveled, there are always folks participate to provide various services to the worshippers. They provide foods, drinks, massage, bathroom, and even mailing service to help worshippers send home something that they will no longer need during the journey. I can’t stop thinking, during this grand event, if these folks are willing to do so, they may be able to earn a lot of money in such a short time. However, they prefer to not selfish and provide services of almost everything required during the journey for free, let the worshippers can safely join the whole 9 days 8 nights’ journey even if without bring any money with them. Therefore, it’s definitely not exaggerating to say that Taiwan’s most beautiful scenery is the kindness of its people’s heart.

       

As a Richie Ren’s fan for 12 years, this documentary movie is one of his work that impressed me the most. This movie let me feel that even though after develop his career in Hongkong and China for many years, Richie Ren still owns a loving Taiwan’s heart that encourages him to use such a special way to pay gratitude to his homeland. Since fell in love with the unique characteristic of his voice, admire his persistence to pursue own’s music dream, inspire by his never give up spirit during 7 years of long struggle period, and finally feel proud of Asian King title that he won, I’m definitely just a small fan who can only continuously support from afar. I don’t have the same luck as Taiwan or Hongkong friends and just silently watching 24 years of his career development process. Now that I have an opportunity to have a closer look at him and also realize that his career has improved one more step, I can’t clearly express the excitement in my heart. From an unfamous singer who purely struggle for a dream to find his own music world, to become a movie producer and director that put a great effort to let the world gain more understanding about his country, definitely is one of his great achievement. If I can have a chance to have a word with him, I would say: "I like you mostly because of your kind heart, now I even like you more because of your loving Taiwan’s heart."

            

Thank you Richie for all the effort to make this touching documentary movie.  I will always look forward for your next great work.