
Migrant workers who have suffered abuse, sexual assault, labor disputes, employer shutdowns, or dismissal due to pregnancy may be placed in shelters for their safety. To protect them, these shelters are typically not open to the public, making them a mysterious presence to many in Taiwan. To shed light on the experiences of pregnant migrant workers, the Serve the People Association (SPA) produced the documentary short film When the Plane Passes By in 2024. The film focuses on four pregnant migrant workers living in a shelter, and the first wave of nationwide screenings and post-screening discussions will officially begin on February 8.
Funded by the German Institute Taipei, SPA initiated the production of When the Plane Passes By last year. Due to budget constraints, the project enlisted student directors Chien Kuan-Ying and Li Yi-Ching, with cinematography by Wu Nien-Hua, a filmmaker experienced in judicial and human rights issues. The film is executive produced by Tsai Tsung-Lung, director of the Golden Horse Award-winning documentary And Miles to Go Before I Sleep, with the title inspired by editor Ho Da-Erh.
Sally, a fundraising specialist at SPA, explained:
"The editor felt that separation is a crucial theme of this film. These migrant mothers give birth to their children here, but ultimately, no matter what they choose, they must part with them. For many Taiwanese, it’s hard to comprehend the heartbreak of giving birth only to be separated soon after. That’s why the airplane serves as a metaphor for farewell and separation."
In addition to the Serve the People Association (SPA)’s migrant worker shelter, the film also features the airport as a key filming location. Nearly every pregnant migrant worker housed in the shelter eventually sends their child back to their home country, realizing the immense challenges of raising a child in Taiwan as a migrant worker. The film documents the stories of four pregnant migrant workers, aiming to raise awareness among both workers and employers that migrant workers in Taiwan have the legal right to give birth. Pregnancy and childbirth for women of childbearing age should not be treated as a crime.
The film premiered at the Women No Cry exhibition opening late last year, where it continued screening throughout the exhibition period. Sally noted that many visitors who entered the screening room stayed until the very end, which was unexpected. To reach a broader audience, the first wave of free nationwide screenings for When the Plane Passes By will begin on February 8.
The post-screening discussions will feature SPA’s Indonesia Shelter Director, Hsiao Yi-Tsai, and the Philippines Shelter Director, Huang Ching-Mei. They will share their insights from working directly with migrant workers, discuss relevant legal and systemic issues, and answer audience questions. The public is encouraged to attend this rare opportunity for a deeper understanding of the lives of pregnant migrant workers in Taiwan.
[ RTI / Interview & Editorial By Reporter Chen Nian-Yi ] 2025-02-04 19:20
[ photo by SPA / Photographer Liu Tong ]