Tasting Chinese: The Collective memory and Cultural Identity of Chinese Food Films.

• Main Authors: Chia-Ling Wu, 吳佳玲
• Other Authors: Ru-Shou Robert Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/27152586143136763228

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 大眾傳播學研究所 === 96 === In the times of globalization, the phenomenon produced by the contact, exchange and fusion of different dietary cultures has been leading diet modes to be homogenous. Thus how diet serves as a bridge for passing on traditional culture needs to be reexamined. This research observes that the meaning of Chinese dietary culture has been changed. The thesis uses Chinese food films released after 1980s and focusing on food image as its materials, trying to discuss how diet forms the foundation of Chinese cultural identity. The thesis analyzes Chinese food films through emphasizing on the representations of food image itself, the relation between food and people, and the impact of dietary space on people. It further explores the cultural symbols of food, the Chinese dietary experience, and the transformations of Chinese diet in the modern society. The result of the research indicates that multi-identification formations exist in the food representations of Chinese food films. From the aspect of national identity, the traditional culture’s value to Chinese community differs in diverse contexts. That similar dietary space and ceremony could summon different national consciousness and emotion clearly reveals the multiplicity of national identities. On the experience of Chinese diaspora, the conflicts between different dietary cultures have manifested the transnational belongingness of diaspora. Moreover, after Chinese diaspora settled down and integrated into local societies, their unique dietary experience explains that cultural reproduction has fractured the fixed cultural identities. Besides, the transformations of daily diet are mainly shown in the following aspects: the alienation between food and individual, the sensual stimulation of modern diet, and the reflexive self displaying by dietary behaviors. The individual’s identity and belonging come from his external dietary consumption and lifestyle, corresponding to his social positions, and also from his internal nostalgic emotions of diet which reintegrate the interpersonal affections and the totality