Inward Facing Relative – Differential to the Outside World

In Taiwan, Traditional Taiwanese Opera (gēzǎixì 歌仔戲) and Puppet Plays (bùdàixì 布袋戲) aren’t just performances for human audiences—they are also sacred rituals, that honor and entertain local gods, deities and spirits, particularly during temple fairs. In conversation with eteam, filmmaker S. Leo Chiang, who was born in Taiwan, moved to the U.S. as a teenager and recently returned to Taipei, dives into his childhood memories to rejoice and explore the cultural significance of traditional folk art forms. His subsequent reflections on nostalgia, national identity, and the role of these spiritual practices in contemporary Taiwan offer a compelling look at the challenges and beauty of preserving an intangible cultural heritage. This documentary not only celebrates Taiwan’s rich folk traditions, but makes tangible how the scale of the puppets and their proximity to the audience enables a simultaneity to watch what’s going on in front and in the back of the stage, fostering an intimate and multi-layered engagement with our storied lives.

In English, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Hakka.