Chasing the trace of Monga in Taipei city

By Lin Yi

(Lin is now an exchange student studying in Taiwan.)

Several gigantic posters of Movie Monga are shown in Ximending theater street. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

Famous director Doze Niu's film Monga is expected to hit cinema screens on February 5th in Taiwan.

This film characterizes five youths who live recklessly in Wanhua District, spending and playing with no thoughts of tomorrow, launching themselves on big adventures, laughing and crying together. It reflects that the world seen through the eyes of the youth that inhabit society's lower level is richly textured.

The movie posters have been seen in the well-known theater street in Ximending since January and a lot of people are looking forward to watching Monga and exploring the sites the movie featured.

So, let's follow the adventures of five youths in the movie to discover the Wanhua District in Taipei City where the movie was shot.

Ximending, is in the northeastern part of Wanhua District in Taipei City and it is the most important consumer area in the Western District of Taipei. The well-known Ximending Pedestrian Area was the first pedestrian area built in Taipei and is the largest in Taiwan.

Red house acts as an icon of Ximending. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

Take the MRT to Ximen Station you will find the icon of Ximending-the Red House which is a historic theater in the Ximending area as soon as you walk out the station. Built in 1908 and designed by Japanese architect Kondo Juro, it was originally a market building but it was used as a theater from 1945 onwards. The building recently underwent extensive renovations. The ground floor currently houses a small cafe, as well as several shops in which independent artists sell their works. The second floor hosts live performances regularly.

In recent years Ximending has been renovated and it is a favorite spot for youths in Taipei. Today, Ximending has over twenty theaters and six thousand vendors. Tattoo shops, piercing, street vendors and street performances can be seen here, as well as Clubs, Pubs and KTVs.