ROCKING AGAINST THE TIDES

This Taiwanese independent music documentary highlights venues and musicians in Taipei’s Gongguan and Shida Region, the underground rock capital. It explores their struggles with COVID-19 lockdowns and urban redevelopment.

Gongguan and Shida area have nurtured a generation of rock musicians in Taiwan. The avant-garde post-rock band ‘Sugar Plum Ferry,’ emerged from this scene, which used music to challenge its audience and respond to the era’s questions. Saying farewell to Sugar Plum Ferry, Insecteens returns after an 11-year hiatus with the album ‘Moments,’ only to face the impending closure of Kafka by the Sea café. The documentary follows him as he bids adieu to performance venues, marriage, and memories. Determined to carry on his musical journey, he strums the melodies of his rock poetry.