Amy Tsai

Time: 1960s Place: One traditional village in

southern Taiwan Adapted from one of the director’s

friends’ life Main Scene: Under America’s great

political, economic and cultural influence, how did Taiwanese react to the power? And how deep the influence is on Taiwan society at that time.

Time: 1980sDefinition: The social, political,

economic, and cultural practices which arise in response and resistance to colonialism.

Time: After 1940sThe Longman Dictionary of

Contemporary English (2000 edition) defines “Neo-colonialism” as “the economic and political influence which a powerful country uses to control another country.”

The obstacles between the powerful and the powerless

The acceptance and resistance shown by different positions in the film

American & KMT government’s attitude

Symbolic images and scenes

Amy Tsai

Obstacles/Miscommunication: Reason-Unequal status1. Space2. Language3. Beliefs/Values of life

Americantroops

Villagers Effects

Language English Taiwanese, Mandarin a. Mimicryb. Miscommunicationc. Hoodwinked by ill-

interpretation-Threatened

Space Camp,The bar

School,Village

a. Curiosityb. Imbalance- Grabbing,

Restricted (area), Marginalization

Values &beliefs oflife

Science,Medicine,National superiority

Tombstones- idea of home,

Farmlands- way of living

a. Unrealistic expectationb. Discontentedness, offendedc. Reaction (fighting, thief)d. Victimization, Punishment

Amy Tsai

1. Unconsciously accept the influence from America

2. Cultural colonization > Military Control

(unconsciously) (consciously)

1. 國家機密

2. Hello! 哈囉 !--- unify the way for greeting

3. Hey you! --- the U.S. military ↓ Hey you 啦你 ! ---Children

1. Protagonist 仙仔 a. Intellectual b. Objective viewpoint the high-tech and medical technology

2. Military Translator a. Speaks English b. flatterer

3. Prostitute a. Realistic- money

1. Music: broadcast of American music

2. Food: peach can, cigarette

3. Style: -Stolen clothes - 阿憲’ s western style- hair and

clothes -Western interior style in Bar -Western style of dancing -Playboy magazine

Amy Tsai

Went to the field to find shell casesMilitary drill

Cinerary urn ran over by tanksCrops ruined

Villagers stole canned food and other resources from the U.S. Army

Amy Tsai

Ruin of the tomb( 阿婆‘ s husband)– which symbolizes American’s disrespect and ignorance toward Taiwanese tradition and culture.

Troops on the farm– they do whatever they want on the land=their football field.

Easy come, easy go— Taiwanese land as their gym, after the training they just left.

“ 政府支持人民 , 人民就該支持政府”– however, KMT government is “using” the village people instead of “supporting” them.

Amy Tsai

阿婆’ s dream of her husband who has passed away

Sexual hint

SuperstitionVitality and lust

WELCOME EMOCLEWVillagers’ assumption of Western

culture Irony: They do Not welcome

Americans!!!

His fingers are broken while he is working in the Japanese factory.

There’s no well indemnification or medical protection for the native labors.

“At least you won’t serve as a solider.” Most Taiwanese accept their own fate

The kid is in the “restricted” area, leaning on the black soldier.

Benefit exchange (?)Paedophilia (?)

Kids’ throwing stones at kids: Taiwanese Taiwanese

Split in the group

Coffin Dead soldiers Advanced technology and medical

development in America? Peaceful America?

Army left a coin on the road after they retreat.

Western culture is left.

Vertical bamboo flute (28:24-29:14)

“Crying in a Storm” (1:47:17)-Singer: Emy Jackson (Japanese

American)-Background

Take me, take me, take my heart and all I was born to be yours.

Love me, love me, get me hold me tight Now I'm crying in a storm

I know that You've got a crazy sports car Kitty Cris and Ronnie Jully, Nancy and Patsy. Why, why, not me

Amy Tsai

The tomb scenes appear at the beginning and toward the end.

The helicopter flies across the sky. Tradition modern Invasion

Tradition: tomb, cart

Modern: helicopter, combat aircraft

Prostrate

Scared

Bar vs. villagers’ accommodation

Huge tanks vs. small children and 阿婆

阿憲 flights with some villagers. Blurred

仙仔’ s reaction…

Friendship?

1:35:36~1:36:40

NarratorThe use of comical handwriting

common people with low level education more delighted

1. Did the US Army really leave Taiwan? What do you think?

2. Do you think American culture or other western cultures and globalization inevitably affects us?

3. How can we preserve our own culture and learn others' culture at the same time?

Thanks for listening!