Formosa Betrayed 2010

As the film unfolds, it draws from two harrowing true events: the tragic death of Professor Chen Wen-chen at Carnegie Mellon University in 1981 and the 1984 assassination of journalist Henry Liu in California at the hands of Bamboo Union members. Formosa Betrayed intricately narrates the relentless pursuit of justice by FBI Agent Jake Kelly, portrayed by James Van Der Beek, who is deeply involved in investigating the murder of Professor Henry Wen, a Taiwanese academic whose lifeless body is discovered in Chicago. Joined by his partner, Tom Braxton, played by John Heard, and a sharp Chicago police detective, portrayed by Leslie Hope, Agent Kelly embarks on a mission to untangle the web of conspiracy surrounding this gruesome crime.

As Agent Kelly delves into the case, it soon becomes evident that the murderers have escaped to Taipei, Taiwan’s bustling capital, leaving a complex trail of deceit behind. In his pursuit of justice, Agent Kelly travels across the globe to coordinate efforts with Taiwanese law enforcement. He is initially supported by an American diplomat, played by Wendy Crewson, and a senior official of the Kuomintang, Tzi Ma, but soon discovers that the journey may cost him more than he anticipated as he navigates a landscape fraught with danger and shifting loyalties.

As he digs deeper, Agent Kelly crosses paths with Ming, played by Will Tiao, a fervent Taiwanese activist who becomes a crucial ally. Together, they peel back the layers of Taiwan’s complex history, once known as “Ilha Formosa” or “beautiful island” by Portuguese explorers. This awakening to the dark past ignites an explosive series of events that pits Agent Kelly against the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and the lofty powers of the Kuomintang.

With tensions mounting, Agent Kelly is thrust into a maelstrom of political intrigue, identity struggles, and a relentless fight for power that carries profound implications for the people of Taiwan. As the boundaries between reality and deception start to blur, Agent Kelly’s very survival becomes precarious as he maneuvers through this perilous world of corruption, betrayal, and ultimately, seeks a path toward redemption.