A Glimpse at the Development of the Environmental Documentary in Taiwan

Of all documentary genres, the environmental documentary stands out as the most distinctive and significant genre in Taiwan. Its distinctiveness and significance lie in its subject matter, its close connection with local concerns, and its determination to claim the basic human right to a clean and healthy environment. Over the past three decades, Taiwan has single-mindedly focused on economic development, aspiring to the status of a developed country through its all-out efforts—unfortunately at the cost of its environment. In response and in resistance to this trend, the local environmental documentary has been carefully documenting the situation and giving us warnings, calling out to our environmental conscience.