“Buddha, Bless America” Film Screening at the Taipei Cultural Center

By Tatiana Ho

“Buddha, Bless America”, a Taiwanese film whose English Subtitled copy is a rare commodity was shown on April 21st during a reception at the Taipei Cultural Center of Taiwan. While the movie reflected on the lives of the native Taiwanese during America’s war with China, it was directed in a way that allowed for the viewers to make real connections with the struggling Natives. In the film, crops are destroyed, houses are run down, and their lives are completely turned around by the American soldiers that have come to “protect them”. While they are told to welcome the soldiers, the Natives feel their lives are being taken advantage of and show their disapproval n a mixture of dark comedy and dramatic scenes.

While to movie was almost two decades old, it was rare for the film to be subtitled in English, making it a treat for all the viewers. Taipei found the film to be important when it came to showing the struggles that the Taiwanese people had gone through during these times through historical film. For the history enthusiasts, “Buddha Save America” was a cultural treat into the perspectives of the natives; a side that is normally not discussed. Although the film was in low quality, the storyline and acting was enough to make any audience member forget it.

“Buddha, Bless America” was a 1990 film that was banned during it’s creation, preventing many from peering into the lives of the Taiwanese people. Taipei Cultural Center introduced the film as a “rare classic”, a statement that held true for the guests present.

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