in process
Dacukeng and the movie
This is the title of a 1994 Taiwanese film. It tells the story of Dosang (“Vater”), a Taiwanese miner, and his family through the eyes of his son, with strong autobiographical elements. The film was directed by the renowned Wu Nien-jen. It is very much a product of its time—somber in tone, with a slow, deliberate pace that allows the story to unfold gradually. The result is an exceptionally moving and deeply poignant film.
(2026)
(ca. 1961)
Dosang initially works as a gold miner in the mining area around Dacukeng, where parts of the film were also shot. Life for the miners was harsh, and accidents were all too common. The father embodies the spirit of his generation: hardworking but somewhat immature in his youth. At times, however, he demonstrates remarkable courage and responsibility, even rescuing people after a mining accident. When he loses his job for a period, he struggles deeply with the loss of purpose and dignity.
Like many miners of his generation, he eventually develops severe pneumoconiosis (“black lung” disease). During the final years of his life, the illness subjects him to unbearable physical suffering, ultimately driving him to take his own life.
The story is told from the perspective of his son. The film provides an excellent portrayal of everyday life during that era and offers valuable insight into the culture of Taiwan’s mining communities. It also features many authentic mining locations, although not every scene is geographically accurate. Director Wu Nien-jen himself grew up in Dacukeng, lending the film a strong sense of authenticity and personal connection.
Golden Times
Pebbles have been found in the Dacukeng Stream, indicating that this area was once beneath the sea. At its peak, the settlement was home to nearly 200 households and around 1,000 residents living in this secluded mountain valley. During the height of the gold rush, the Tiemenzikeng (Iron Gate Pit) yielded exceptionally rich gold deposits.
(Shaft No. 6)
(and today, nothing left)
The prosperity earned Dacukeng the nickname “Little America,” reflecting the wealth of its inhabitants. Although the village had amenities such as a billiard hall and noodle shops, those seeking nightlife or entertainment still traveled to Jiufen’s famous “Little Shanghai” red-light district. The miners’ strong spending power became well known. Whenever wealthy miners from Dacukeng arrived at the brothels in Jiufen, the hostesses would call out, “The Americans are here!” (阿啄仔, A-tuah-á, a local term for “Americans”), highlighting that they were considered even wealthier than the people of Jiufen themselves.
Source: https://tcmb.culture.tw/zh-tw/detail?indexCode=Culture_Object&id=216022
Today
This prosperity, however, came to an abrupt end. Around 1961, the Zhenshan Company, which operated the Dacukeng mines, ceased mining activities. The villagers lost their only source of income, and with poor living conditions—chronic water shortages, little opportunity for other industries, and inconvenient transportation—they eventually decided to relocate. In 1979, the entire community moved away as a group. Most residents settled in Ruifang, while others moved to Jiufen or Taipei.
(around 1990, after cutting)
Today, only the local temple and the former school remain as standalone buildings. In the early days, the school was merely a small branch campus, and the first teachers even held classes inside or in front of the temple. As the community grew, this arrangement soon became inadequate, making it necessary to construct a proper school building.
