4 - From 'Mimi's Utopia' to 'Childhood in Between': Documenting the Lives of Children of Indonesian Migrant Workers

As of April 2024, Taiwan's migrant worker population is close to 770,000, with Indonesians comprising the largest group at 281,368. However, a concerning issue is the 86,905 undocumented workers, including 27,281 Indonesians. Most of these migrant workers come to Taiwan during their prime years, at an age when they are eager for relationships, marriage, and parenthood. Yet, when mothers become undocumented, their stateless children also face difficulties, lacking access to full healthcare and education.

From 2021 to 2022, I directed "Mimi's Utopia," a documentary featuring Nicole Yang, founder of Harmony Home, a well-known organization aiding women migrant workers and their children. Staying connected with Harmony Home, I have documented the lives of three groups of Indonesian mothers and children, leading to two new film projects.

"Selamat Ulang Tahun" (tentative) follows two families: one with a child starting kindergarten in Taiwan and another awaiting return to Indonesia for education. "Childhood In Between" explores the lives of two children with a Taiwanese father and an Indonesian mother. My goal is to capture their unique journey from childhood to teenage years and present their perspectives and insights on the world, including a visit to West Java for a traditional coming-of-age ritual.

At this conference, I will discuss these upcoming projects. There will also be a separate screening event for "Mimi’s Utopia."