Taiwan New Cinema – Pangcah Mother: The Woman Who Builds Houses

Construction sites are often viewed as male-dominated, but these Pangcah women easily match their male peers in skill by handling everything from pulling nails to assembling complex formwork. This film focuses on Miciang, a Pangcah woman from Hualien’s Ceroh community. Doing heavy labor by day and caring for her family by night, she is a mother of resilience and strength. · Pangcah媽媽—築屋的女人 Pangcah Mother: The Woman Who Builds Houses, 馬躍比吼 Mayaw Biho (1999). Documentary, 24 min. Mayaw Biho, a Pangcah director from Hualien’s Ceroh Tribe, is a pioneer of Taiwan’s first wave of Indigenous documentary cinema. Since 1997, his works have been screened internationally at major festivals such as TIDF and the Margaret Mead Film Festival, sparking critical dialogue on Indigenous culture, history, and social justice. Beyond filmmaking, he has long been deeply engaged in Indigenous rights and public affairs. · 母語 The Mother’s Voice, Kagaw Omin (2025). Documentary, 16 min. Through an intimate gaze, director Kagaw listens to her mother share stories of her childhood and family of origin. Born in Chiang Mai and married to an Indigenous Atayal man in Taiwan, her mother moves fluidly between Thai, Mandarin, and Yunnanese. For Kagaw, this voice, first sensed from within the womb, is her mother tongue. Between conversations, the camera wanders through the house, tracing light, air, and the quiet remnants of her mother’s presence. Kagaw Omin (Nitaya Lan) comes from a family of Indigenous Taiwanese Atayal and Thai Chinese descent. Growing up immersed in a diverse family culture, she draws creative inspiration from her heritage. Her works center on familial connection and ethnic and cultural identity. She is currently an independent filmmaker. Pratical information: Language: Original version with English subtitles Free participation, upon reservation info@la-loge.be Full programme on the website la-loge.be