“A Chip Odyssey” Silicon Valley Special Screening presents the epic story of Taiwan’s rise as a global semiconductor leader. This documentary traces a half-century journey driven by bold vision and the quiet determination of pioneers who helped shape the future of technology.
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Synopsis
In 2019, director Hsiao Chu-Chen was deeply moved by stories shared at the memorial of semiconductor pioneer Hu Ding-Hwa—accounts of engineers who, driven by a sense of national mission, journeyed overseas to acquire the crucial knowledge that ignited Taiwan’s chip industry. Their spirit of sacrifice and collective resolve not only laid the foundation for Taiwan’s semiconductor revolution, but also marked a pivotal chapter in the island’s struggle for survival and global relevance.
Directed by award-winning Hsiao Chu-Chen and produced by semiconductor veteran Ben Chen and acclaimed Oscar member Ben Tsiang, this five-year project draws on insights from voices across generations—from early contributors to today’s professionals in the semiconductor industry. A Chip Odyssey traces Taiwan’s journey from humble beginnings to its emergence as a critical pillar of the digital world. Through the eyes of pioneering engineers, female line technicians, frontline policymakers, visionary scientists, and a new generation now facing critical choices, the film reveals how, half a century ago, an entire island came together in a high-stakes gamble to shape its own destiny—and the future of global technology.
Though Taiwan accounts for less than 0.02% of the world’s landmass, it has become an indispensable force in the era of AI and advanced chipmaking. As the invisible engines of modern life, chips produced in Taiwan now power everything from smart devices to strategic defense, placing the island at the center of the global technology race.
A Chip Odyssey is not only a chronicle of technological ascent; it is a powerful testament to the spirit of a small island that poured its heart and soul into survival, innovation, and global relevance. As tensions rise and the semiconductor race intensifies, the film reminds us that behind every chip lies a human story—and behind every breakthrough, a cross-generational gamble.
About the Theater
Standing at the Birthplace of Silicon Valley
The theater stands on historic ground—the very site of Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory, long regarded as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Founded by Nobel laureate William Shockley, the lab brought together pioneering engineers and ignited the semiconductor revolution. In many ways, Shockley “made the Valley.” Watching A Chip Odyssey here carries profound symbolism, as the film tells the parallel story of young Taiwanese engineers who, decades later, “made the Mountain”, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, which became the island’s shield amid global tensions. To witness this tale of resilience, innovation, and national destiny on the very ground where Silicon Valley began is to experience a rare dialogue between past and present, between the Valley and the Mountain.
Director’s Statement
This was the first time in my documentary career that I felt such immense pressure, facing an unfolding story I could not fully predict. And yet, a quiet but firm voice inside me kept pushing me forward: “You have to finish this!” In June 2025, I finally completed A Chip Odyssey. While this is a story about Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, it is not merely about success, nor is it only about technology. What I truly wanted to share was the revolutionary spirit and perseverance of a generation of engineers—and above all, their courage and sense of duty to carry the flag and shoulder a national mission during times of crisis.
This deep emotional legacy, spanning half a century, moved me profoundly. It also compelled me and my team to confront Taiwan’s reality—not only the island’s physical boundaries, but also the boundaries imposed by global politics. These are realities we cannot escape. In 2019, Morris Chang said at a TSMC sports day “TSMC was seen as a key battleground”, in 2024, he added “Over the past five years, we’ve truly become the bona fide battleground”. Those five years were the exact five years I spent making this film. From the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, to the volatile global semiconductor landscape, to the rapid rise of AI, and the growing international pressure—I asked myself more than once: if I had known how turbulent things would become, would I still have dared to make this film?
At this moment, I don’t speak only as a documentary filmmaker. More than anything, I hope this work can serve as my humble contribution—to help preserve the story of a small island that has fought with all its might to survive.
