| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation aims to explore the multi-layered social critique revealed in Huang Hsin-Yao′s award-winning film The Great Buddha + (2017). By immersing the audience in the lives of marginalized characters, the film offers sharp criticism of the power structures and systemic injustices faced by contemporary Taiwanese society. Scholars have already analyzed the film′s cinematic techniques, religious symbolism, and social class dynamics in existing literature. Building upon this foundation, this study seeks to dive deeper into how the film′s soundscape and mise-en-scène contribute to depicting the social hierarchies in Taiwan.
The sound design plays a crucial role in the film, serving as a powerful tool to enhance the narrative and highlight social critique. By analyzing the use of sound effects, music, and verbal language in the film, Chapter II explores the importance of sound in conveying character emotions, creating atmosphere, and emphasizing social inequalities.
Chapter III focuses on the film′s exceptional visual presentation. The stark contrast between the immense wealth of factory owner Kevin (Huang Qi-Wen) and the dilapidated environment of Pickle (Tshài-póo) and Belly Button (Tōo-tsâi) highlights the growing wealth disparity and inherent inequality within Taiwanese society.
Huang Hsin-Yao′s masterful storytelling techniques, combined with superb filmmaking skills, reveal the underlying dark undercurrents in contemporary Taiwanese society, exposing the hidden inequalities and moral decay beneath the surface. Through this exploration, it is hoped that The Great Buddha + can serve as a powerful catalyst for critical discussions and cultural introspection, reaffirming the importance of cinema in cultivating social awareness and advocating for change. | en_US |