Neil Peng
{{Short description|Taiwanese screenwriter and political activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Neil Peng
| honorific_prefix =
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Neil Peng DSC8190 (6294292524).jpg
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| native_name = {{nobold|馮光遠}}
| native_name_lang = zh-tw
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|9|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sanchong, Taipei County, Taiwan
| death_date =
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| nationality = Taiwanese
| education = Fu Jen Catholic University (BA)
Fairfield University (MA)
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| awards = Golden Horse Award for Best Original Screenplay (1993)
| signature =
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| years_active =
| website =
| party = New Power Party {{small|(2015–17)}}
}}
Neil Peng ({{zh|c=馮光遠|p=Féng Guāngyuǎn}}; born 23 September 1953) is a Taiwanese screenwriter and political activist.
Early life and career
Peng was born in Sanchong, Taipei, and received his bachelor's degree in library science from Fu Jen Catholic University before obtaining his master's degree in mass communications from Fairfield University. He then served the China Times as deputy editor-in-chief.{{cite news|title=2014 local elections:Taipei|url=http://www.cna.com.tw/project/2014vote_web_en/2014vote_candidates.html|accessdate=5 October 2017|agency=Central News Agency}}
''The Wedding Banquet'' (1993)
Peng approached director Ang Lee with the idea behind The Wedding Banquet in 1986 by revealing to Lee that one of their mutual friends had moved to the United States and was in a same-sex relationship without the knowledge of the man's parents.{{cite news|last1=Pacheo|first1=Patrick|title=Cultural Provocateur : In 'The Wedding Banquet,' Ang Lee Stirs Up Custom|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-04-ca-20238-story.html|access-date=25 February 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=4 August 1993}} Lee and Peng began writing the screenplay two years later and were soon joined by James Schamus.{{cite book|last1=Feng|first1=Peter X.|title=Identities in Motion: Asian American Film and Video|date=2002|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=9780822383987|page=182|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MnXERkPErgIC&pg=PA182}} Released in 1993, the film was entered into that year's Berlin Film Festival.{{cite news|last1=Hornaday|first1=Ann|title=FILM; A Film Scholar Conjures Up A Hit Machine|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/20/movies/film-a-film-scholar-conjures-up-a-hit-machine.html|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=New York Times|date=20 February 1994}} Lee and Peng shared the 1993 Golden Horse Award for Best Original Screenplay for their collaboration on the film. In 1994, The Wedding Banquet was nominated for six Independent Spirit Awards.{{cite news|title='Banquet,' 'Ruby' top IFP noms|url=https://variety.com/1994/film/news/banquet-ruby-top-ifp-noms-117413/amp/|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Variety|date=13 January 1994}}
Political activism
In 2012, Peng announced his support of the anti-nuclear movement,{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=I-chia|title=Group raises nuclear awareness|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/03/06/2003527123|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=6 March 2012}} later becoming a member of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=I-chia|title=Activists urge public to sign nuclear vote petition|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/03/06/2003585001|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=6 March 2014}} He is also known for his support of pension reform and same-sex marriage in Taiwan.{{cite news|last1=Yang|first1=Chiu-ying|last2=Chung|first2=Jake|title=Same-sex union activists aim for 1 million signatures|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/09/09/2003542343|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=9 September 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Eddy|title=Taipei Watcher: Election time|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2014/08/28/2003598434/2|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=28 August 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Sean|title=Civic groups warn of impending financial crisis|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/09/02/2003654348|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=2 September 2016}}
Peng has spoken out against the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, by launching a petition against the pact's ratification in August 2013.{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Yi-ching|last2=Pan|first2=Jason|title=Anti-pact petition attracts attention|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/08/03/2003568827|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=3 August 2013}} Later that month, Peng and others founded the Constitution 133 Alliance to advocate for the recall of under-performing legislators.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Alliance looks to recall 'bad' legislators|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/08/15/2003569741|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=15 August 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Tzou|first1=Jiing-wen|title=INTERVIEW: Neil Peng urges public to recall 'bad' lawmakers|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/08/25/2003570536|accessdate=26 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=25 August 2013}} The group was named after Article 133 of the Constitution of the Republic of China, which allows constituents to recall their representatives to the Legislative Yuan.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Join recall petition instead of throwing shoes, Constitution 133 Alliance says|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/11/05/2003576188|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=5 November 2013}} The Constitution 133 Alliance launched its first recall campaign against Kuomintang legislator Wu Yu-sheng in August, which was not successful.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Alliance names lawmaker as first candidate for recall|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/08/26/2003570591|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=26 August 2013}} Though Peng claimed that the Central Election Commission had "stalled" Wu's recall,{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Campaigners complain about 'stalling strategy'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/01/03/2003580418|work=Taipei Times|date=3 January 2014}} Peng continued to participate in future recall attempts, rebranded the Appendectomy Project and inspired by the Constitution 133 Alliance, against Wu, Alex Tsai, and Lin Hung-chih in particular.{{cite news|author1-link=Lii Wen|author1=Lii Wen|title=Deadline nears for recall petitions|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/12/22/2003607325|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=22 December 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Yen-ting|last2=Chung|first2=Jake|title=Students, netizens initiate recall of KMT lawmakers|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/05/04/2003589514|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=4 May 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Yen-ting|last2=Chung|first2=Jake|title=Alex Tsai recall push enters final stage|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/02/08/2003611083|work=Taipei Times|accessdate=25 February 2017|date=8 February 2015}} After the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement, proposals to strengthen submission requirements for legislative recall petitions were discussed, a move Peng opposed.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|last2=Wang|first2=Chris|title=Sunflower lessons go wanting: groups|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/05/13/2003590238|accessdate=25 February 2017|date=13 May 2014}}
Political career
In February 2014, Peng announced his independent Taipei mayoral campaign.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Neil Peng set to announce campaign for Taipei mayor|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/02/17/2003583712|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=17 February 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Neil Peng announces Taipei mayoral bid|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/02/18/2003583788|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=18 February 2014}} Later that month, when Kuomintang candidate Sean Lien stated that he would take legal action against anyone who published falsehoods about him, Peng and Wellington Koo pledged to defend all who had been sued by Lien.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Peng, Koo build 'submarine' legal team|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/02/26/2003584379|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=26 February 2014}} Peng was scheduled to debate fellow independent Ko Wen-je in March shortly after a debate only open to Democratic Progressive Party candidates had been televised.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Non-KMT Taipei mayoral hopeful debates set for TV|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/03/03/2003584765|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=3 March 2014}} Ko did not participate, and all DPP candidates, one of whom was Koo, debated Peng instead.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=DPP Taipei mayoral hopefuls round on KMT, Ko|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/03/17/2003585852|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=17 March 2014}} Despite his absence from the March debates, Ko won the mayoral election.
Following Peng's loss in the mayoral election, he declared an independent legislative campaign for New Taipei 1 in February 2015.{{cite news|last1=Hsiao|first1=Alison|title=Author Neil Peng to stand in legislative election|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/02/16/2003611691|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=16 February 2015}}{{cite news|author1=Lii Wen|title=Top Sunflower joins NPP, eyes legislative run|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/05/05/2003617529|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=5 May 2015}} By April, he had joined the New Power Party.{{cite news|author1=Lii Wen|title=Recall leaders question reform hearing shut-out|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/04/22/2003616518|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=22 April 2015}} In September 2015, Peng was named to the NPP's executive committee for the first time.{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Wei-han|title=New Power Party announces leadership structure|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/09/14/2003627680|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=14 September 2015}} After contentious discussions with the DPP about supporting its legislative candidate Lu Sun-ling,{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=NPP elaborates platform, slams PFP as KMT stooge|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/07/19/2003623392|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=19 July 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Pan-green integration attempts appear to stumble|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/10/15/2003630112|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=15 October 2015}} Peng chose to drop out of the election in November 2015.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Neil Peng withdraws from election race|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/20/2003632915|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=20 November 2015}} In March 2016, Peng was reelected to the NPP's executive board.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=NPP elects party chairmen, executive to be announced|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/15/2003641628|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=15 March 2016}} After the reelection of Huang Kuo-chang as head executive, Peng remarked that party leaders should not be legislators, so the party could better remain unaffected by government influence.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Huang holds on to NPP chairmanship in unanimous vote|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/26/2003642478|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=26 March 2016}} This disagreement lead to Peng leaving the party in January 2017.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=NPP lawmakers shocked by Neil Peng's resignation|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/01/10/2003662835|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=10 January 2017}}
Controversy
Peng has repeatedly made controversial statements. He was one of three people charged by Emile Sheng in 2012 for libel. Peng was jailed for 20 days over the comments.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Neil Peng starts 20-day jail term|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/10/04/2003601239|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=4 October 2014}} The case was appealed up to the Supreme Court in November 2016, which found the three defendants not guilty.{{cite news|last1=Pan|first1=Jason|title=Supreme Court upholds 'Dreamers' case verdict|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/11/12/2003659092|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=12 November 2016}}
For saying that King Pu-tsung and Ma Ying-jeou have a "special/sexual relationship,"{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Sean|title=KMT Ko slur sparks council scuffle|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2015/09/17/2003627894|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=17 September 2015}} King filed a lawsuit against Peng in February 2014, accusing Peng of libel.{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Rich|title=King's libel suit against Peng opens|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/02/12/2003583334|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=12 March 2014}} The Taiwan High Court ruled against King in March 2015,{{cite news|last1=Yang|first1=Kuo-wen|last2=Chen|first2=Wei-han|title=King Pu-tsung loses Peng libel suit|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/03/04/2003612740|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=4 March 2015}} but King filed an appeal of the ruling in September.{{cite news|last1=Chin|first1=Jonathan|title=King Pu-tsung, Neil Peng enter debate in court|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/09/22/2003628307|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=22 September 2015}} Following the appeal, the Civil Court determined that Peng should pay King NT$1 million in damages.{{cite news|last1=Pan|first1=Jason|title=Neil Peng to pay damages in King case|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/10/07/2003629488|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=7 October 2015}} Peng appealed the Civil Court decision and was again found not guilty for libel and defamation in May 2016, the second charge stemming from Peng's published article about King, some time after the March 2015 High Court ruling.{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Wen-chuan|last2=Shih|first2=Hsiao-kuang|title=King loses another defamation lawsuit against Peng|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/05/10/2003645931|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=10 May 2016}}
In May 2014, Peng was named a defendant in a court case involving legislator Lu Hsueh-chang.{{cite news|last1=Hsiao|first1=Alison|title=KMT lawmaker criticized for filing lawsuit|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/05/08/2003589842|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=8 May 2014}}
Personal
Peng lives in Daan District, Taipei.{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Hsin-han|last2=Chung|first2=Jake|title=INTERVIEW: Huang-Peng partnership outlines vision for NPP|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/03/2003631583/2|accessdate=25 February 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=3 November 2015}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Neil Peng}}
- {{Facebook|NeilPeng.tw}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{Hkmdb name|13000}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peng, Neil}}
Category:Fairfield University alumni
Category:Fu Jen Catholic University alumni
Category:Taiwanese anti–nuclear power activists
Category:Taiwanese journalists
Category:Taiwanese male comedians
Category:Taiwanese male writers
Category:Taiwanese screenwriters
Category:Taiwanese male film actors
Category:Film directors from Taipei