This dissertation, "Remapping Taipei: Globalization and Edward Yang's Films" by Siu-sin, Jean, Sze, 史筱倩, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled Remapping Taipei: Globalization and Edward Yang's Films submitted by Sze Siu Sin Jean for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong in August 2003 Edward Yang, who belongs to the first wave of the movement of New Taiwan Cinema in the 1980s, is best known for his meticulous depiction of the contemporary life in the city Taipei. While most of the critics discuss his films in relation to the notion of modernity, few of them have tried to analyze the relationship between his films and globalization. In light of this, this dissertation aims at providing a comprehensive study of Yang's films by analyzing how the Chinese society has transformed in the age of globalization and how individuals try to negotiate their position in the city. Using theories of globalization as the theoretical framework, the dissertation explores Taipei through different spatial images such as Chungshan Hall, glass skin buildings and mirrors found in Yang's films. In so doing, the dissertation sees how globalization can deterritorialize the existing ideologies in the city. At the same time, it is also found that the city has become a placeless space because of the homogenizing effect of globalization. As spatial images constitute the outer core, or the physical appearance of the city, the dissertation then turns to the inner core of the city and sees how urban dwellers experience the city through memories, desires and fantasies. It is noted that while outwardly the city is likened to a rather rational network society, it is actually complicated by the human networks internally. In order to locate themselves in the city, individuals therefore turn to a ground-level exploration of the labyrinthine city that we inhabit. From the spatial images to the urban walkers who try to make sense of the city, Yang's films can indeed be seen as a medium that provides critical reactions to the ideologies imposed by the government and to the developments of Taipei ever since the 1980s. As his films are very popular in the international film festivals, the dissertation explores the relationship between cinema and public criticism. In fact, it is observed that with the circulation of Yang's films in the art- house circuits, there is indeed a positive side of cultural globalization. An Abstract of 346 words DOI: 10.5353/th_b2914471 Subjects: Motion picture producers and directors - Taiwan Globalization