No Man an Island

This pioneering study of Hou Hsiao-hsien illuminates the many distinctive achievements of Taiwan’s famous director. His body of work in films such as The Puppetmaster, City of Sadness, and Flowers of Shanghai reflects a powerfully unique style characterized by intricate lighting, improvisational acting, and exceptionally long, static shots. James Udden argues that Hou’s films reflect Taiwan’s peculiar historical and geographical situation and could only have emerged there. Udden also examines the regional impact Hou’s films have had on other Asian directors and cinema artists.