From Variety Show to Viral Momentum: What INVISIBLE NATION Means to Taiwan (and to the whole multi-country team behind the film)
We are blown away by the huge audience love and box office success of our film.
Last week, I had the unforgettable honor of appearing on Taiwan’s beloved Taipei Tonight Show with host Dennis Nieh (聶雲). The segment aired just as INVISIBLE NATION crossed a major milestone: over NT$18 million at the Taiwanese box office in just ten days. And as it aired, something clicked. This wasn’t simply a media stop on a press tour. It felt like a national moment.
And for me? It felt like coming home.
“Love.” That’s the Word.
Dennis Nieh opened the conversation with warmth, humor, and honesty, reminding me of what American late-night once promised, but so rarely delivers now: authenticity. He called me his “first documentary guest,” and his show is my first talk show. What followed was a whirlwind of memories, meanings, and just the right amount of cross-strait gallows humor.
When Dennis asked me what one word I associated with Taiwan, I didn’t hesitate. “Love,” I said.
It might sound too simple, but I meant it with my whole heart.
Love for this island’s democracy.
Love for the people who welcomed me, challenged me, and told their truth.
Love for the women leaders: President Tsai, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Chen Chu, and Wu Pei-yi, who fight for a freer future, every day.
You can watch the segment here. It’s fun: Taipei Tonight Show with Vanessa Hope
Next Apple Captures the Moment
The day after the show aired, Apple Next News ran a story that perfectly captured the deeper significance of what we’d just experienced. Yes, INVISIBLE NATION has now entered Taiwan’s top 10 highest-grossing documentaries of all time. Yes, it’s doubling its weekend box office. Yes, it’s riding momentum and occupying more screens. But the piece went further. It understood the why.
Taiwan is not just a location in the film. It is the beating heart of the story.
Apple Next described the documentary as a journey through Taiwan’s transformation, from martial law to marriage equality, from colonial ghosts to a self-defined identity. They honored its rare access to President Tsai Ing-wen and our focus on everyday courage. But what moved me most was their recognition that the film has been reshaping international perception of Taiwan, and that now, it’s doing the same at home.
The article even highlighted our lightning-round Q&A on the show, where I revealed that my dream next subject is Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. And yes, I meant it. If she’s reading this: my camera is ready.
Read the full Apple Next News article in English here
Risk, Laughter, and “Hell Jokes”
In a country where cross-strait relations are deadly serious, Taipei Tonight Show took a risk: it aired 10 politically charged jokes, what Dennis called “hell jokes.” They walked the fine line of satire and survival, with punchlines like:
“One side says, ‘We’re officially dating!’ while the other insists, ‘We’re just neighbors.’”
It was nervy, brilliant, and deeply Taiwanese. Humor not as distraction, but as resistance.
A Rising Film Among Giants
INVISIBLE NATION is now in the company of documentaries like Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above (NT$220M) and Twelve Nights (NT$62M). These films ignited change on environmental policy, animal rights, aging, and national memory. That we’re even mentioned in the same breath as Revolution of Our Times or Go Grandriders is an honor. But here’s what makes this moment different:
This time, the story Taiwan is telling the world is about itself, its identity, its freedom, and its women-led resistance to authoritarianism.
We’re at NT$18 million and climbing. But our goal isn’t just a number. It’s a movement.
What’s Next: From Taiwan to the World
As INVISIBLE NATION continues its Taiwan run, we’re planning monthly global virtual screenings with civic leaders, cultural icons, and everyday citizens. If you believe in Taiwan, if you believe in democracy, if you believe in calling people IN (not out) then stay with us. We’ll have updates soon on co-hosts, collaborations, and how you can help bring this conversation into your school, community, or kitchen table.
Until then, I’ll keep showing up. On variety shows, in interviews, and in the stories we share together. I’ll keep answering questions like these:
Q: What inspired you in making INVISIBLE NATION that kept you going over 8 years?
A: I wanted to show what democratic leadership really looks like, especially when it’s led by women. Taiwan is fighting for visibility, for dignity, and for survival. That fight is cinematic. It’s urgent. And it’s deeply human.
Q: What makes this film different from other political docs?
A: This isn’t punditry or a policy explainer. It had no government funding. No party line to follow. Just people-powered, purely investigated documentary cinema. It’s a story of moral courage told through the lens of feminist leadership and national identity. It’s emotional. It’s personal. And it’s resonating with audiences because it’s about the world we all want to live in.
Q: Why do you think Taiwanese audiences are showing up in such huge numbers?
A: Because they finally see themselves reflected. Not erased. Not reduced. INVISIBLE NATION treats them, and their democracy, with the dignity they deserve.
Q: Why should Americans care about Taiwan?
A: Because Taiwan is a test. If the world lets an open, democratic society fall to authoritarian aggression, that says everything about where we’re heading. Taiwan’s story is our warning, and our inspiration.
Q: What does global solidarity look like now?
A: It looks like stories that travel. It looks like refusing censorship. It looks like showing up, in theaters, in protests, and in policy rooms, to say Taiwan matters. Now’s the moment to push international alliances, from the U.S. to the EU to Japan, Australia, and beyond, to treat Taiwan’s security as central to global peace. What world leaders will step up to meet this moment? What diplomats will carry this message? It’s high time to put diplomacy and peace that preserves democracy first.
Because Taiwan’s story isn’t invisible anymore.
It’s luminous. And it’s yours.
—
Call to Action:
The Taipei Tonight Show is giving away free tickets to INVISIBLE NATION!
Check out host Dennis Nieh’s Instagram Stories to claim yours and spread the word:
Watch Dennis Nieh’s giveaway post
Tell your friends, your family, your classmates, your co-workers, anyone in Taiwan who cares about democracy, identity, or just a great story. Share The Taipei Tonight Show segment. Tag a friend who needs to see it. Use the hashtag #InvisibleNation and tell us what Taiwan means to you. Let’s keep the love flowing.
Post your own photo at the theater with #InvisibleNation. We LOVE seeing these. Taiwan’s movie theater going culture is truly one of the world’s all time best!
With gratitude and solidarity,
Vanessa Hope 葛靜文 (Gě Jìngwén)
🧡
從綜藝節目到病毒式傳播：INVISIBLE NATION 對台灣（以及我們這個跨國團隊）的意義
我們對觀眾對本片的熱情與票房成績感到由衷震撼
上週，我非常榮幸登上台灣深受喜愛的《台北尬深夜》（Taipei Tonight Show），與主持人聶雲（Dennis Nieh）進行對談。當這段節目播出時，我們的紀錄片《INVISIBLE NATION》正好在台灣上映滿十天，票房突破一千八百萬新台幣。就在節目播出的那一刻，我感覺到某種轉變發生了——這不只是一次宣傳巡迴的行程，這是一場全國性的時刻。
對我而言？那是一種回家的感覺。
「愛」。這就是那個字。
Dennis Nieh 以溫暖、幽默與誠懇開啟這場對話，讓我想起曾經美國深夜節目所承諾卻如今少見的特質：真誠。他說我是他節目第一位紀錄片導演來賓，這也是我第一次上綜藝節目。我們談起記憶、意義，還有那恰到好處的兩岸黑色幽默。
當 Dennis 問我與台灣最聯想到的詞是什麼時，我毫不猶豫地回答：「愛」。
這或許聽起來簡單，但我說的是發自內心的：
對台灣民主的愛。
對這座島上接納我、挑戰我、說出真相的人們的愛。
對那些女性領導者的愛——蔡英文總統、蕭美琴副總統、陳菊、吳佩芸——她們每天都在為更自由的未來而奮鬥。
《台北尬深夜》與我對談的節目在此：Taipei Tonight Show with Vanessa Hope
Apple Next 抓住了這個時刻
節目播出的隔天，《壹蘋新聞網》刊出了一篇報導，準確捕捉到了我們經歷的深層意義。《INVISIBLE NATION》現在已經躋身台灣紀錄片票房歷史前十名，週末票房翻倍，放映場次持續增加。但這篇文章不僅報導成績，它看到了背後的「為什麼」。
因為台灣不只是本片的場景。台灣是這個故事跳動的心臟。
報導形容這部紀錄片見證了台灣從戒嚴到婚姻平權、從殖民陰影到自我認同的轉變。他們讚揚本片獨家拍攝到蔡英文總統的生活面貌，也聚焦於台灣人民的日常勇氣。最令我感動的是，他們理解到這部片不只是讓世界更了解台灣，現在，它也正在讓台灣人重新看見自己。
報導還特別提到我們在節目中進行的快問快答環節，我說我夢想拍攝的下一位對象是副總統蕭美琴。這是真的。如果她正在讀這篇文章：我的攝影機隨時準備好了。
📰 [閱讀 Apple Next News 英文全文](https://tw.nextapple.com/entertainment/20250623/D20CD97B7489780BEDDA2E130D37E5E3)
冒險、笑聲與「地獄哏」
在這個兩岸議題極度敏感的國家，《台北尬深夜》勇敢地播出了 10 則政治敏感笑話，Dennis 稱之為「地獄哏」。這些笑話在諷刺與求生之間走鋼索，例如：
「一方說：我們正式交往了！另一方卻堅稱：我們只是鄰居。」
這些笑話大膽、聰明，而且非常有台灣味。幽默不再只是逃避，而是一種抵抗。
巨人之中冉冉升起的作品
《INVISIBLE NATION》如今與《看見台灣》（票房 2.2 億）與《十二夜》（票房 6200 萬）等重量級紀錄片並列。這些作品曾引發環保、動保、高齡議題與歷史記憶的社會討論。而現在，《革命時代》、《不老騎士》這些傳奇作品旁出現了我們的名字，是一份無比的榮耀。但這一次，有一點不同：
這次台灣對世界說的故事，是它自己的故事：它的認同、它的自由，以及它由女性主導的對威權的抵抗。
我們票房已達 1800 萬新台幣，仍在持續攀升。但我們追求的不只是數字，而是一場運動。
接下來：從台灣出發，走向世界
《INVISIBLE NATION》在台灣熱映同時，我們正籌備每月一次的全球線上特映活動，邀請公民領袖、文化名人與觀眾參與。如果你相信台灣，如果你相信民主，如果你相信「邀請」勝於「排斥」，那就請繼續關注我們。我們將陸續公布協作夥伴、聯名主持人，以及你可以如何把這場對話帶進你身邊的學校、社區與家庭。
在那之前，我會持續現身。不論是綜藝節目、訪談、或是我們共同訴說的故事。
Q&A 精選問答
Q：是什麼讓你能堅持拍攝《INVISIBLE NATION》八年之久？
A：我想呈現真正的民主領導樣貌，尤其是女性領導者。台灣正為了被看見、為了尊嚴與生存而奮戰。這場奮戰充滿戲劇張力、迫切性，也極其人性。
Q：這部片和其他政治紀錄片有何不同？
A：這不是政論節目，也不是政策解析。我們沒有政府資金，沒有政黨立場，只有人民的聲音與獨立調查。我們用紀錄片的方式講述一段道德勇氣的故事，透過女性領導與國家認同的視角。這部片是情感的、個人的，也因此深深打動觀眾。
Q：為什麼台灣觀眾會大舉進場支持這部片？
A：因為他們終於看見自己——不是被抹去，不是被簡化，而是被賦予尊嚴地呈現。
Q：為什麼美國人該關心台灣？
A：因為台灣是一場測試。如果這個世界讓一個開放的民主社會淪陷於威權攻勢，那將是對未來的可怕警示。台灣的故事，是我們的警鐘與靈感來源。
Q：你如何看待當今的國際團結？
A：它是一種能跨越國界的故事，它是拒絕審查的勇氣。它是走進電影院、走上街頭、走進決策者會議的行動，說出：台灣很重要。現在是時候推動美國、歐洲、日本、澳洲等盟友將台灣的安全視為全球和平的關鍵。哪些領袖會挺身而出？哪些外交官會傳遞這個訊息？我們該把捍衛民主的和平外交放在首位。
因為，台灣的故事不再是「看不見的國度」。
它是閃耀的。它屬於你。
—
**行動呼籲：**
《台北尬深夜》正在送出《INVISIBLE NATION》免費電影票！
快去主持人聶雲的 Instagram 限時動態領票並分享訊息：
[觀看 Dennis Nieh 的贈票貼文](https://www.instagram.com/stories/niehdennis/3662023535439954080?igsh=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA==)
告訴你的朋友、家人、同學、同事——所有在台灣關心民主、認同、或單純想看好電影的人。請分享《台北尬深夜》的節目片段，標記你認為應該看到的人，使用 #InvisibleNation 並分享「台灣對你來說是什麼？」讓我們一起延續這份愛！
在戲院拍照並標記 #InvisibleNation！我們超愛看到你們的觀影照。台灣的戲院文化真的世界第一！
懷著感激與團結之心,
Vanessa Hope 葛靜文 (Gě Jìngwén)
🧡
I love the comments in the YouTube video of The Tonight Show. I hope it gets flooded with the hearts it deserves. And that someone takes up that one comment when we get honorary citizenship and a free hotel room!