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Jen-hsiu Hsu, a driving force behind ecological conservation in Taiwan and a pioneer of nature photography, makes his cinematic debut in the documentary Seven Ages of A Man. Exclusively sponsored by the Wistron Foundation and directed by Taipei Film Festival Grand Prize winner Ko-shang Shen, the film offers an intimate look at Hsu’s life and legacy. Spanning six years of production, the documentary follows Hsu from the mountains of Taiwan to the Amazon rainforest. Director Ko-shang Shen captures Hsu’s profound connection to the natural world and his lifelong dedication to wilderness advocacy, translating his vision into a visually stunning and deeply poetic cinematic experience.
Director Ko-shang Shen and his cinematography team ventured deep into the heart of nature alongside Jen-hsiu Hsu, documenting a six-year journey that encapsulates over 50 years of his steadfast devotion to protecting the wild through imagery, prose, and action. "Nature is a story that cannot be finished in a single lifetime; yet, by approaching it as if living through many lives to understand its abundance, the greatest hardships become the ultimate fulfillment." These words, appearing at the very beginning of the documentary, serve as the perfect testament to the lifelong passion of Jen-hsiu Hsu.
First-generation Taiwanese wilderness photographer Jen-hsiu Hsu (left) and renowned documentary director Ko-shang Shen (right) collaborate for the first time, journeying together into the heart of the wilderness.
Born in Qionglin, Hsinchu, Jen-hsiu Hsu grew up in a rural village, where he became deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature and developed a remarkable knack for catching fish and insects. Even today, when leading students through the mountains, he remains incredibly agile—once astonishing a crowd by effortlessly catching a cute little wild mouse with his bare hands. Through his humorous and vivid storytelling, participants not only experience the charm of the wild but also walk away with a wealth of fascinating "nature trivia." He shared a particularly intriguing observation: Formosan sambar deer often stealthily approach campsites at night. This is because during freezing nights in the mountains, campers sometimes relieve themselves outside their tents; by day, the sun evaporates the moisture, leaving behind concentrated salt deposits. To supplement their sodium intake, the deer venture close to lick these "salty patches," creating a curious and raw interaction between humans and the wilderness.
Seeing the world through Jen-hsiu Hsu’s eyes profoundly impacted director Ko-shang Shen. Reflecting on the experience on Facebook, Shen wrote: "In the past, entering the mountains and forests was often purposeful—I’d go in just to capture a good shot and then leave. This time, however, it felt more like a continuous state of being, a natural part of life." Their journey stretched from the outskirts of the city to the deepest reaches of the Amazon rainforest. To document nature’s fleeting wonders, the team exercised immense patience, waiting long hours for a single, unexpected moment. After a vigil that lasted from late night until dawn, they finally captured footage of an endemic Formosan serow feeding. Hsu remarked, "You’re very lucky; it took me at least thirty attempts before I finally caught this on camera." Reflecting on those countless extraordinary moments, the director shared, "It was a wonderful journey that transformed adults back into children."
At the film’s conclusion, Jen-hsiu Hsu leaves us with a powerful reflection: "Venturing deep into nature never stems from a calculated plan; rather, it is a passion so fierce that even after writing your final will, you simply continue the journey for as long as you live." He adds, "As long as you embrace love and wonder, step out of your comfort zone, and seek adventure, the exploration can begin at any time, right from the ground beneath your feet." These words stand as a profound testament to the awe and lifelong devotion he holds for the natural world.
The media screening of Seven Ages of A Man was a star-studded event, highlighted by the enthusiastic participation of long-term philanthropic partners from the Wistron Foundation. Yung-shih Lee, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic (second from left, left image), and contributing photographer Yu-wen Chen; Kuan-li Wan, CEO of the Chi Po-lin Foundation (second from left, right image), and her team.