Zhang Ziyi in movie 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

In 2004, "A Marvellous Detective", set the record for the lowest box ever for a Taiwan produced film. It's director was Chu Yin-Ping. Taiwan's most highly acclaimed comedy director between 1980 and 90.

Things did get better. In 2006, "Eternal Summer", directed by 25 year old Leste Chen broke the one million New Taiwan dollar box office in two days. The number of feature length film productions in 2006 climbed back up to 50.