Taiwan Docs

Since I had been in Chia Yi, for about 7 to 8 years, I had not noticed any Hakka people here, not even a mention that we have a small Hakka community here.

Not until 2005, did I read an article about the Chia Yi Hakka Cultural Association from a newspaper, then I saw that there are Hakka people here in Chia Yi city.

This film is an attempt for me to know the Hakka people here and to re-understand my own Hakka culture.

I found my childhood memories in the people’s lives here. I was surprised when I gradually reentered their lives. There were so many things that I had experienced but that had disappeared today, and they re-appeared here again.

In this film, I present myself as a first generation Hakka immigrant to Chia Yi observing a third generation person’s life. There are four main figures from four families. I visited them irregularly, but especially during the Chinese traditional festivals, when I tried to catch the details of their lives.

By the direction of interviews, I hope we can understand more about the background of these immigrants through the memories of their past that might include the conflict and the integration of the people into local industry and life style, etc. In addition to representing a historical context, there is also hope to gain an insight into Hakka recognition and identity.

However, the whole process of filming is a process of discovery. I hope I can bring more opportunities for people to observe the elaborative Hakka culture. I am not going to elaborate too much on what you have seen. Your own perceptions and appreciation is a kind of answer, isn’t it?

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