現存最早關於台灣的電影

荷蘭Netherlands ｜35mm｜Color｜7min

「福爾摩沙」源自於葡萄牙語的「Formosa」，過去曾是臺灣的別名，意指「美麗的」或「美麗的島嶼」。

本片《福爾摩沙》描述在日本統治時期，台灣的地景、建築、風俗、文化、農業、自然景觀、原住民族與殖民軌跡，亦反映著當時世界對台灣的理解與想像。該片也是現存最早在台灣拍攝、拍攝台灣的電影。

這部介紹式的紀實影片，來自1991年荷蘭電影博物館贈予複製拷貝。根據荷蘭電影博物館的紀錄，他們所保存的硝酸片膠卷（非透過原始負片印製的正片）大約年份為1922年；而根據學者李道明的研究，影片可能拍攝於1917年。但正片拷貝究竟何時出品、流落何方，已不可考。

《福爾摩沙》由國家電影及視聽文化中心典藏，相關研究請參考《fa電影欣賞》第203期「百年膠卷與島嶼映像：關於《福爾摩沙》」專輯。https://fa.tfai.org.tw

Formosa depicts the landscapes, architecture, customs, culture, agriculture, natural scenery, Indigenous peoples, and colonial traces of Taiwan during the period of Japanese rule. It also reflects how the world at that time perceived and imagined Taiwan. This film is the earliest known surviving motion picture shot in and about Taiwan.

This introductory documentary was donated as a duplicate print by the Netherlands Filmmuseum (now Eye Filmmuseum) in 1991. According to the museum’s records, the nitrate print dates to approximately 1922. However, based on the research of scholar Lee Daw-ming, the film may have been shot as early as 1917. The exact date when the original positive film was produced and its subsequent whereabouts remain unknown.

Formosa is preserved by the Taiwan Film & Audiovisual Institute. For further research, refer to: Film Appreciation Journal No. 203: "A Century of Celluloid and Island Imagery: Formosa"  https://fa.tfai.org.tw

本中心典藏日治時期（1895－1945）台灣相關教育片、宣傳片與紀實影像，將以「開放」原則陸續公開，歡迎瀏覽與研究。