The research, titled "A New Insular Imaginary in Taiwanese Cinema (2008-2020): Industry, Genres, and Narrative," was conducted by PAN Yi-Ling under the supervision of Ms. Marie LAUREILLARD. It questions the label "Post-New Cinema" applied to Taiwanese cinema after 2008, arguing it fails to capture its distinctiveness.
The thesis examines how popular films released between 2008 and 2020 differ from the auteur cinema of the 1980s, which brought Taiwan international recognition. It specifically analyzes the success of the film Cape No. 7 and how Taiwanese identity is reflected within it.
Structured around three axes—industrial infrastructure, film genre, and historical narrative—the study reveals that the negotiation site for Taiwanese identity has shifted from auteur cinema to genre cinema. This work also proposes an analytical model for small cinemas, demonstrating how material constraints can become a creative advantage.
The jury included Ms. Marie LAUREILLARD (Professor, Université Paris Nanterre, Thesis Director), Mr. Florent VILLARD (Professor, Sciences Po Rennes, Rapporteur), Mr. Emmanuel LINCOT (Professor, Institut catholique de Paris, Rapporteur), Mr. Martin BARNIER (Professor, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Examiner), Mr. Stéphane CORCUFF (Associate Professor, Science Po Lyon, Examiner), and Ms. Wafa GHERMANI (Assistant Professor, National Central University, Examiner). The jury was presided over by Mr. Martin BARNIER.
