英文摘要 |
Hou Hsiao-Hsien's Taiwan Trilogy has been the locus of heated debates, as documented in two collections of critical essays-The Death of the New Cinema (1991) and Passionate Detachment: Films of Hou Hsiao-hsien (2000). Despite the paradigm shift from the critical theory of the former to the poststructuralism of the latter, such issues as historical authenticity and realistic representation have not been soundly dealt with by recognizing the fictional nature of all historical films. Through a reading of Hou's film Good Men Good Women, this paper argues that it is far from enough to highlight the constructiveness of history and the self-reflexive, postmodern quality of this film. Lacking the heteroglossia of historical representation found in Hou's earlier film The City of Sadness, Good Men Good Women instead presents a linear, progressive and monological history. But, more importantly, this film, like many other historical films, treats history as a form of thought whereby one asks questions and tries to answer them. By inquiring into Taiwan's past, Hou Hsiao-hsien gives us a reason why Taiwan has come to its present state. Whether or not this film provides a satisfactory answer, this paper aims to reassert the importance of rethinking the authenticity of historical representation in all historical films, even though faithful representation is no longer possible. |