In 1996, Yang Ya Hui formed the Tong-Kwang Light House, the first accepting LGBTQ+ church. Despite the passing of the founder in 2008, the church is still active in the fight for equality. Religion has always, for the most part, been hesitant (or just downright reluctant) to accept different sexualities outside of heterosexuality. To be shunned from the society you have devoted so much to, and the community you believe in for something you cannot control must be heart-breaking. This film is an exploration of religion, love, equality, and the people of Taiwan.
“The Shepherds” is screening as part of the Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh and Queer East Film Festival team-up: TFFE x QEFF
Focusing on three people who work for the Tong-Kwang church, and carry forward its message, the narrative revolves around their journey during Taiwan's legalization of same sex marriage. An important shift in human rights for the country, and a progressive example for much of the world. What unfolds is a story about perseverance and kindness. The fight for LGBTQ rights is not easy, but it must be done, and the documentary looks at what sacrifices people must make to hopefully create a better world.
Interspersed throughout the film are black and white photos (from the early days of the church) and footage accompanied by narration. This helps ground the overall experience in a feeling of longevity, a feeling that this is not the end of the struggle nor the beginning. The church has been around for a while, and in many ways, it represents more than just a place of worship: for many it is a family.
It is hard to talk about the formal aspects of such a movie, because they are not important here; however, they do adequately present the reality of the people it focuses on. The only issue would be that the piece does not really follow up on the history of the church, and instead it solely focuses on the time in which it is filmed. It seems a shame to not delve into the past of such a prominent and forward-thinking church. For a western audience that may not be aware of Yang Ya Hui, it feels like a missed opportunity to not explore her life. This creative choice does hurt the end product, but not enough to ruin the experience overall, as the documentary is still a compelling insight into Taiwan's LGBT world.
“The Shepherds” is a great fly-on-the-wall look at a journey towards a better world. Whilst everything seems to be falling apart in 2020, this piece reminds you that people are still fighting for a better future. It is nice to be reminded that positive things can still happen in an age that feels so negative.
