In recent decades, a series of big-screen productions emerged in Taiwan that reveal the island's painful history under Japanese colonial rule. Three widely-known movies from the 21st century revisit the trauma of occupation and highlight the courage of rebellion.

The epic drama "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale" is one of Taiwan's most recognized films on resistance against Japan. Centered around the Wushe Incident in central Taiwan in the 1930s, the movie depicts indigenous Seediq leader Mona Rudao, who rose against brutal Japanese rule. It exposes injustices such as plundering natural resources, forced labor, and violent suppression of local communities. The film earned global recognition, including a nomination at the Venice International Film Festival.

Another widely discussed work, "Blue Brave: The Legend of Taiwan in 1895," is based on Taiwan's tragic fate following its cession to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. It follows local fighters who formed volunteer militias to resist the Japanese takeover. Their resistance reflects the indignation of Taiwan compatriots as Japan began its colonial rule marked by brutal force and bloodshed.

A different form of resistance takes the spotlight in the 2014 comedy Twa Tiu Tiann. Through time travel, the film brings a modern university student back to 1920s Taipei, then under Japanese occupation. There the student met a prominent leader of the Taiwan Cultural Association. The story focuses on how intellectuals of the era used newspapers, speeches and various art forms to awaken national consciousness. Set in Taipei's historic Dadaocheng district, the film also shows how local merchants boycotted Japanese-controlled markets to oppose economic exploitation.

Together, these films document not only the brutality under colonial rule but also the enduring spirit of resistance. Through cinema, Taiwan's historical struggle speaks for itself — challenging any distorted narratives and reminding audiences of a painful past that cannot be rewritten.