Taiwan will be providing the backdrop and establishing itself as the new hotspot for filmmaking in eagerly anticipated action-thriller, Lucy, due to be released on 22 August.

Filmed earlier this year for eleven days in Taiwan's bustling city of Taipei, Lucy is the biggest Hollywood film to be shot in Taiwan since local hero Ang Lee's, Life of Pi. Starring American actress and model, Scarlett Johansson, and cult action hero, Morgan Freeman; the film follows the story of Lucy, a 25-year-old American living and studying in Taiwan, who is deceived into working as a drug mule by her new boyfriend who is employed by Korean drug lord, Mr. Jang. Keen-eyed audiences will also spot cameos from Taiwanese entertainers Ken Lin and Xing Feng.

Lucy is written and directed by Luc Besson, who professed that he had fallen in love with Taipei on a previous visit whilst researching filming options for classic biopic, Fifth Element. Opting for something unique rather than the run-of-the-mill locations, the French director added that he wanted Lucy to be set in a fast-paced Asian city, and felt Taipei to be fitting. He also endorsed and encouraged other film directors to consider filming in Taiwan, speaking especially highly of the food and the people of Taipei.

Filmed mostly in the captivating capital of Taipei, the film features some stunning locations of the city including an array of city scrapers, sea views, forests and mountains all within a 100-mile radius. Described as one of the most diverse filming locations in the world, viewers can be wowed by many of Taiwan's landmarks, below are some of the highlighted filming locations in Taipei:

Taipei 101 – Located in the east of Taipei, the hundred and one storey sky-scraper, towers above the city like the colossal bamboo stalk it was designed to resemble. At 508 metres, it previously held the title of 'world's tallest building' for a number of years, but now holds the title of the world's tallest green building, after being overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.  After enjoying the pleasures of the food court on the ground floor, visitors can travel up to the 89th floor – the observation deck – in 40 seconds. The first five floors are taken up by one of Taipei's swankiest malls.

Xinyi Planning District – Recognised as Taipei's major commercial hub and also known for its wealth of shopping centres, restaurants and hotels; the Xinyi Planning District bustles with the fast-paced energy of business. Once the sun sets, the skyscrapers come alight with eye-catching displays of bright lights. The vibrancy of the city really thrives during the weekends when the city is transformed by myriad outdoor stages and squares which become adorned with concerts and dance performances.

Myst Nightclub – Boasting the finest twilight view in the city, cushioned in Taipei's Xin Yi District, this perfectly located nightclub attracts those with a penchant for fine food and entertainment. With the emphasis on the internal waterfall which illuminates itself when light is projected onto it, there are also a variety of translucent LED screens which sync with the other lighting in the nightclub. 

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Media Information:

For further information on Taiwan please visit http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/

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