Intermedial Translation as Circulation: Chu Tien-wen, Taiwan New Cinema, and Taiwan Literature

Yeung, Jessica Siu-yin

Abstract

We generally believe that literature first circulates nationally and then scales up through translation and reception at an international level. In contrast, I argue that Taiwan literature first attained international acclaim through intermedial translation during the New Cinema period (1982–90) and was only then subsequently recognized nationally. These intermedial translations included not only adaptations of literature for film, but also collaborations between authors who acted as screenwriters and filmmakers. The films resulting from these collaborations repositioned Taiwan as a multilingual, multicultural and democratic nation. These shifts in media facilitated the circulation of these new narratives. Filmmakers could circumvent censorship at home and reach international audiences at Western film festivals. The international success ensured the wide circulation of these narratives in Taiwan.

Citation

Yeung, J. S.-Y. (2020). Intermedial Translation as Circulation: Chu Tien-wen, Taiwan New Cinema, and Taiwan Literature. Journal of World Literature, 5(4), 568-586. https://doi.org/10.1163/24056480-00504005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 29, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 9, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 9, 2020
• Deposit Date: Feb 10, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 10, 2021
• Journal: Journal of World Literature
• Print ISSN: 2405-6472
• Electronic ISSN: 2405-6480
• Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 568-586
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/24056480-00504005
• Keywords: Taiwan – screenplay – film – allegory – cultural policy
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Special Issue: Scale Shifting: New Insights into Global Literary Circulation, edited by Wiebke Sievers and Peggy Levitt