John Hsu (徐漢強), Taiwanese supernatural comedy director Society of Dead Talents (鬼才之道), said Saturday at the film’s London premiere that he hopes it will shed light on what he calls Taiwan’s “social anxieties.”

Speaking at the East Asian Film Festival in London, Hsu said Taiwanese society was grappling with the anxiety of “being seen” and the desire for “Taiwanese pride”.

In the film, a group of ghosts fight to become the scariest urban legends and the most famous stars of the underworld through their macabre scare tactics.

Photo: CNA

The film received 11 nominations at the 61st Golden Horse Awards, more than any other film this year, including Best Narrative Film and Best Director.

“Perhaps because of its long-standing political situation and historical background, Taiwan has often distrusted its own culture,” Hsu said.

Taiwanese society tends to believe that being seen by certain foreign parties is what validates someone or something as “worthy of attention,” he said.

However, he set out to explore what it really means to be seen, what needs to be done to achieve it and whether achieving that goal will really solve all problems, he said.

Such anxieties could stem from “not being so sure about who we really are,” he said.

The festival, which runs from Wednesday last week to Sunday at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, features films from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and the Philippines, including more than 20 UK and world premieres.