From Stage to Screen: The Emergence of Taiwanese Opera Films in Social History

As the sociology of film informs us, Taiwanese opera and film are two distinct cultural and artistic forms. That they were able to merge as Taiwanese opera films and become an important type of Taiwanese-language film indicates that these two forms – Taiwanese opera and film – responded to a particular demand in Taiwanese society at that time. In economic terms, it is understandable that the local film industry, faced with the challenges and hardships of breaking new ground, should turn to Taiwanese opera in search of support, but with Taiwanese opera entering its golden age in the 1950s, what might have driven the industry to choose that moment to bring their works to the silver screen? The explanation is likely related to changes in both the genre and its context. This chapter argues that delving into these topics is particularly important for understanding Taiwan’s social history.