Contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong Cinemas in Comparison: Reconstruction of Identities and Local Consciousness on Screen

Speaker: Ms Ting-Ying Lin

Abstract

Taiwan and Hong Kong both share the historical experience of colonialism in the twentieth century and occupy a marginal position considering an increasingly hegemonic China in the twenty-first century. Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement and Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement can be taken to suggest that both societies also share a similar tendency towards self-reflection in the realm of politics and debates concerning identity. This research aims to juxtapose contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong cinemas in comparison and examine how these two cinemas over the past decade reflect such structural similarities (alongside differences) vis-à- vis the peculiar socio-political conditions of both places. Using case studies drawn from a wide range of films from the last ten years, the research focuses on the socio-political engagement of contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong cinemas concerning the various cinematic strategies employed for the reconstruction of identities and local consciousness on screen. Ultimately, the research argues that contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong cinemas over the past decade showcase structural similarities (and differences) in the light of socio-political engagement, and both cases have become a crucial socio-cultural site in which the growing Taiwan and Hong Kong identities and local consciousness amidst the respective societies in recent years are being reflected and rearticulated.

Speaker Bio

Ting-Ying Lin is a PhD candidate in the Department of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research interests include contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong cinemas, Chinese-language cinemas and visual cultures. Her doctoral thesis examines the politics, identities and activism in contemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong cinemas over the past ten years.

Organiser: Centre of Tawain Studies

Contact email: lr27@soas.ac.uk