Filmmaker Mickey Chen Dies at 51|致力性別人權運動 導演陳俊志病逝

Documentary film director Mickey Chen has passed away at the age of 51 after suffering cardiogenic shock. Chen was one of the first documentary filmmakers to focus on the gay community. Many of his colleagues were saddened to hear of his passing.


I am even crazier than a madman. I search for solutions in words and in art.

Documentary film director Mickey Chen had an outspoken personality, and often referred to himself by the feminine nickname "Siau Po." His autobiographical work "Taipei Father, New York Mother" told his family history. Chen's father died of a heart attack three years ago. In October this year, his younger brother also suffered a heart attack and died. On Dec. 10, Chen's cousin announced on Facebook that Chen had died after suffering cardiogenic shock at the age of 51.

A friend informed me before the news was announced because he didn't want me to be startled. However, the news still came as a shock.

Many of Chen's colleagues in the film industry mourned his passing.

Chen was known for focusing his lens on issues facing the gay community. In 1999, he released one of the first documentaries to focus on the gay community, "Boys for Beauty." He followed that up with "Memorandum on Happiness" and "Scars on Memory." These three films were collectively known as the "homosexual trilogy." Chen was also a published author. "Taipei Father, New York Mother" won a Golden Tripod award, and was also a winner at the 2012 Taipei International Book Exhibition. This life story was also adapted into a stage play of the same name and performed at the National Theater.

I believe he was a pioneer. I think at that time there were directors focusing on homosexual issues, but he was actually very young when "Boys for Beauty" was shown in theaters (and made a name for himself.) He called himself "Siau Po" and was very outspoken. Nothing was taboo, and he was very funny as well with no boundaries. However, I believe that was what he externalized to fend off a world that was cruel to him.

Chen's friends say they noticed he began declining after his father passed away. Chen's sudden death came as a surprise for his many friends, who were all saddened by his passing.