About this Event
7th House — The Philosophical Research Society’s temple for cinema seekers — is thrilled to collaborate with Kuo Hwa Theater, the Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to celebrating Taiwanese cinema and culture, for an exceptionally rare screening of Chang Ying’s wildly imaginative THE FANTASY OF DEER WARRIOR (大俠梅花鹿, 1961), one of the strangest and most wonderfully whimsical creations of early Taiwanese cinema. Hailed by younger generations of movie fans as “the most absurdly hilarious Taiwanese-language film ever made,” this one-of-a-kind cinematic curiosity must be seen to be believed.
In a peaceful forest, animals sing, dance, and live together in harmony—until a bloodthirsty pack of wolves descends upon their woodland paradise. Unfortunately, the forest’s heroic defender, Sika Deer, is too busy battling a rival elk for the affections of the beautiful Miss Deer to come to the rescue. Soon there is M**der, revenge, romantic jealousy, and an elaborate conspiracy involving a scheming fox, a treacherous elk, and the fearsome Wolf Lord. And somehow somewhere amid all this chaos, a tortoise and a hare find time to hold their legendary race.
Featuring an entire cast of actors dressed in fantastic animal costumes, The Fantasy of Deer Warrior is a deliriously inventive fairy tale that combines several of Aesop’s fables, romantic melodrama, martial-arts heroics, and musical interludes into a spectacle unlike anything else in Taiwanese cinema. Filmed in black and white against the wooded hills of Beitou, this extraordinary Taiwanese-language production transforms natural landscapes into a fantastical animal kingdom, where its menagerie of furry creatures engages in everything from elaborate courtship rituals to pitched battles for control of the forest. A child dressed as a bird takes flight by flapping his arms while dangling from a wire, and frolicking lambs dance to the strains of “Jingle Bells.” Both utterly charming and gloriously absurd, the film has become a cult favorite among younger Taiwanese audiences.
Directed by Chang Ying (張英) and starring popular actor Ling Yun as the heroic Sika Deer, The Fantasy of Deer Warrior also represents a fascinating chapter in the history of Taiwanese-language cinema and an unusually ambitious production for its time. Digitally restored by the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, the film was featured in the “We TAIWAN” cultural showcase at Expo 2025 in Osaka, an international celebration of Taiwan’s rich cinematic heritage, from restored classics to contemporary filmmaking.
Kuo Hwa Theater founder and programmer Albert Chiang will introduce the screening and discuss the film’s unusual place in Taiwanese cinema history. As Albert explains:
"I can honestly say, what caught my attention was the notion of fairy tales and costumes—it gave off such a strong anime and cosplay vibe. ... This movie will definitely appeal to those of you who can relate and find a deeper connection between this film and the worlds of anime, cosplay, and manga.
For my history cinephiles, we will also discuss the fascinating background of Chang Ying (張英), the director of this film. Born in Sichuan, China, he was part of the Chinese diaspora to Taiwan. He felt it was crucial to bring and preserve Taiyu (Taiwanese-language) films, despite the fact that he couldn’t even speak Taiwanese himself. He also believed in investing in the youth by creating some of the very first Taiwanese animation."
A true cinematic curiosity, as enchanting as it is utterly improbable, The Fantasy of Deer Warrior is a rare big-screen adventure into one of the most wonderfully eccentric corners of film history—don't miss it!
Dir.: Chang Ying (張英), 1961, 87 mins, Taiwan, Taiwanese (Taiyu) w/ English subtitles, Digital.
Very special thanks to the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute.
Tickets: $12 (All Screenings Are In Person Only)
Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.
ADVISORY DISCLAIMER
With some exception, The Philosophical Research Society’s 7th House Screenings does not typically provide advisory warnings about potentially upsetting content or subject matter, as sensitivities are particular to each viewer. Please be sure to read event listings, research on the web, or visit Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com for thorough info on content and age-appropriateness. If you have any specific content advisory questions, please email [email protected].
CONTENT DISCLAIMER
The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.
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