From Island to Island

From Island to Island is a documentary that examines the lives of Taiwanese individuals living in Southeast Asia during World War II, when Taiwan was under the control of the Japanese Empire. The film focuses on the perspectives of doctors, soldiers, and other residents, using diaries, family correspondence, and video archives to illustrate their experiences. By incorporating conversations between different generations, the narrative explores the varied identities and the complex nature of historical memory in Taiwan during this era.

The film was directed by Lau Kek-huat, following his 2019 work Ten Years Taiwan and preceding his 2026 project The Waves Will Carry Us. Produced by Lin Wan-yu through Hummingbird Productions, the documentary features Wang Chao-yang as a Taiwanese serviceman in the Imperial Japanese army and Yu Po-yun as an Imperial Japanese officer. The production originated in Taiwan and has a total runtime of 290 minutes.