“Talent isn’t needed to win an election, victory can simply be purchased.” From this humorous and astute Taiwanese idiom, we are pretty much able to understand the era of the one party state in which the practice of democratic government still had an air of ridiculous dreamy realism – however, even though there was some dark humor in the “elections,” democratic elections continued to gradually take root in Taiwan’s soil and became a way of thinking of Taiwan’s people. As the fall of 2010 changed to winter, the intense roar of the political elections pierced the air both day and night. So why not seek serenity and use the Chinese Taipei Film Archive’s black and white films to observe the tracks of Taiwan’s elections?

In 1953, a dentist from Kaohsiung City along with the Great Dance Theater, hosted the “Miss Beautiful Tooth” contest for the first time ever. According to a news report, the award celebration had over 5,000 people in attendance, including many celebrities. The beautiful contestants not only elegantly walked on stage, but they also had to open their mouths and let the dentist inspect their teeth. The method used here for judging the winner even seems strange when we take into account that access to dentistry wasn’t as easy as it is today. In addition, we see several westerners sitting in the VIP seats for  the award ceremony, as well as the beautiful Huang Wan-xiang, who has a colorful ribbon draped over her shoulder as she is crowned Miss Beautiful Tooth by a white woman, Kaohsiung living up to its reputation as an international port.

Film maker unknown (05/04/1953). (Miss Beautiful Tooth). “Union Catalog of Digital Archives.”

http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/?URN=3250435

(Browsed on Nov. 4 2010).

Many people when they were young participated in a “model student” or “Child Mayor” election. This allows students to understand the idea of a democratic system at a young age. But when did all of this begin? According to our historical film evidence, election-like activity in Taiwan was held as early as 1958 at Taipei Female Teachers’ College-affiliated Elementary School. From this silent film, we see children banging on gongs and walking around the schoolyard, creating quite a lively scene. The teachers at the school also arranged a public meeting during which candidates for the Child Mayor could express their opinions. Although the film is silent, from their poise when giving speeches we can see that almost all of the candidates had the confident style of real politicians. The process for casting votes was also like a real election; after the results of the vote were out, the school staff invited the mayor of Taipei, Mr. Huang Qi-rui, to visit the school and deliver a speech. But as we all know, the democratic system is more than just voting and celebrating; even more so, it is about planning the welfare of the masses, having the minority conform to the majority and having the majority respect the minority. How much are the kids learning through this type of activity and interaction?

Film maker unknown (1958). “Female Teachers’ College-affiliated Elementary School student elected “little mayor”. “Union Catalog of Digital Archives.” http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/?URN=3250972
 (Browsed on Nov. 4, 2010).

In 1962, the very first Miss Tainan elections took place in the Linhai Hotel, Tainan. Even though the Linhai Hotel is not very well known today, it was once the entertainment hotspot of Tainan during the middle of the 20th century. From the film we see that the event attract quite a few celebrities, the contestants made their way along the stage under the gaze of numerous people. However, from the narrator in the background we learn that the contestants were not just planning on participating in the third Miss China contest, but would also support with the government’s military entertainment policies…The 1960’s were indeed a time of anti-communist sentiment and patriotic zeal for recovering the mainland.

China Motion Picture Studio  | (1962-04-21~1962-04-22). “The First Miss Tainan Pageant”.  “Union Catalog of Digital Archives.”

http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/?URN=3806934

Most people who hear the name Ah San-ge will automatically think of the famous cartoonist Liu Yu-qin and his masterpiece: “Ah San-ge and his Aunt.” At the time when cartoons became popular in Taiwan, Mr. Lin Bo-qiu, a Taiwanese film director (Jade Mountain Film Company) - also filmed a comedy called “Ah San-ge Runs in the Elections.” After the war, the mood of politics became very stern, so this is a very rare movie with political overtones. Although Ah San-ge wastes a lot of funding in the movie while running for office, he still loses, causing his creditor to come after him. All that is left is Ah San-ge riding a horse and “sweeping” the streets and getting bombarded with firecrackers; he also carries with him a Taoist monk’s ritual while chanting during his campaign rally meetings. This movie seems to fit the undeveloped democratic values of the time, the absurdity bringing tears of laughter to the viewer while also making a serious point.

Lai Yao-pei | (1959). “Ah San-ge Stands for Election.” “Union Catalog of Digital Archives.”

http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/?URN=4514997 (11/04/2010 browsing).