Invisible Nation is an intimate view of the presidency of Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s first female president, as she fights for the future of her country’s democracy at a time when freedom around the world is under threat from authoritarianism.
Directed by: Vanessa Hope
Produced by: Sylvia Feng, Vanessa Hope, Ted Hope, Cassandra Jabola and Ivan Orlic
Executive Produced by: Doug Blush, Ming Chiang, Geralyn Dreyfous, Patrick Huang,
Patrick Pfupajena, Lauren Mekhael, Danielle Turkov-Wilson and Mike Veldstra
“Compelling… Taiwan’s troubled past and uncertain future come sharply into focus in this timely and valuable film. ”
— Richard Kupiers (Variety)
“An urgent film on Taiwan’s democracy”
— Baroness D’Souza and Lord Alton review ‘Invisible Nation’
With unprecedented access to Taiwan’s sitting head of state, director Vanessa Hope investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. Thorough, incisive and bristling with tension, Invisible Nation is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China. Hope’s observational style captures Tsai at work in her country’s vibrant democracy at home, while seeking full international recognition of Taiwan’s right to exist. At a time when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the ever-present threat of authoritarian aggression, Invisible Nation brings punctual focus to the struggle of Taiwan as it fights for autonomy and freedom from fear.
Vanessa Hope is an award-winning producer and director who has produced multiple acclaimed films in China including Berlin International Film Festival selection, Wang Quanan’s The Story Of Ermei and Cannes Film Festival selection, Chantal Akerman’s Tombee De Nuit Sur Shanghai, part of an omnibus of films, The State Of The World. She has also directed and produced several doc shorts, including China In Three Words, an official selection at DOC NYC. Hope made her directorial feature debut with the documentary All Eyes and Ears, an exploration of the complex links between the U.S. and China featuring former President Obama’s US Ambassador to China and premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Hope’s additional producing credits include Sundance Film Festival selections, Zeina Durra’s The Imperialists Are Still Alive! and Sarah and Emily Kunstler’s Academy award shortlisted feature documentary, William Kunstler: Disturbing The Universe and their award-winning SXSW film, Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America. She served as Executive Producer of Paula James-Martinez’s Born Free.
Vanessa and her husband, Ted Hope, share a company, Double Hope Films. Prior to her film career, Vanessa worked on foreign policy issues at the Council on Foreign Relations with Senior Fellow and Director of Asia Studies Elizabeth Economy. She received her B.A. from the University of Chicago in Anthropology and East Asian Studies and completed the coursework for a PhD at Columbia University before going into film.
*Winner, Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary – 2024 Sonoma Film Festival*
*Winner, One in a Million Award for Best Documentary – 2024 Sun Valley Film Festival*
*Winner, The Cinema for Peace Honorary Award – 2024 Cinema for Peace Foundation*
*Winner, Audience Award – 2023 Middleburg Film Festival*
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