
The Puppetmaster
The Puppetmaster is a 1993 Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. Based on the memoirs of Li Tian-lu, Taiwan's most celebrated puppeteer, this story covers the years from Li's birth in 1909 to the end of Japan's fifty-year occupation of Taiwan in 1945.
Plot
The film tells the story of Li Tian-lu (1910-1998), who becomes a master puppeteer but is faced with demands to turn his skills to propaganda during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan in World War II. Scenes from his childhood and early adulthood are intercut with puppet performances and newly-filmed interviews of Li recounting his life as he's swept up in Taiwan's tumultuous history.
Cast
More details
author | Chu Tien-wen |
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director | Hou Hsiao-Hsien |
keywords | 20th century a city of sadness end end of world historical film japanese occupation japanese occupation of taiwan puppeteer taiwan under japanese rule world war ii |
musicBy | Chen Ming-Chang |
producer | Chiu Fu-sheng |
theme | biographical propaganda |