Finding Home in Hou Hsiao Hsien's "The Puppetmaster"

Abstract

Throughout "The Puppetmaster" Hou includes references to the oral traditions of story-telling, the imitation of the master in the recitation of poetry in the classroom, songs in the puppet shows, and even in private rooms we see and hear folk songs accompanied by an urhu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument....In "The Puppetmaster", Hou Hsiao Hsien employs a master story-teller - a puppet master to create a sense of self within a created story that is life-like.