Wisdom behind the poetic words, rather than visuals guide the film VOICES OF HAKKA WOMEN. The introduction forces the viewer to focus on the words to impart the history and culture of the Hakka women as the short documentary delves into the unique experiences of six different women through the art of poetry in a way that is compassionate, yet understanding of the hardships that multiple generations of women went through within the Hakka culture. 

Ya-Ling Peng and Suzon Fuks went above and beyond to show the differences in the way each poem was recited, making each one unique. The filmmakers utilized various types of techniques in order to tell the stories in each piece to make them stand apart while seamlessly working as a collective. The powerful visuals aided in the storytelling process by using still photography, animation, dance and objects analyzed is explicit detail to name a few of the methods employed within the film.   

VOICES OF HAKKA WOMEN begins with a brief history of the Hakka women, a much needed segment so that all viewers can understand how women are using poetry to finally find their voice in a culture where they were oppressed for several generations. The six poems are similar while very different, with each one imparting wisdom even though the women were uneducated to prove the filmmaker’s statement at the start of the film as a strong truth, that despite the lack of a formal education, the matriarchs of their families were still quite smart. 

Stated in the fourth poem, “Going to Open-Air Theatre with Grandpa” by Mei-Yen Chen, is a theme that rings true throughout all six of the poems. She states that “poetry is healing to the soul,”  which is apparent in the passionate way each poem is recited over the complimentary visuals. The women who wrote these powerful pieces have a distinctive voice that imparts the culture in a way that is heartwarming to their culture by being able to show the memories both good and bad throughout the written word. Peng and Fuks were careful in deciding the techniques used to add unique visuals is what really makes the documentary different than other documentary shorts because they force the viewer to really focus on the importance of the words rather than showing off with fancy cinematography. They make it clear, the stories behind the poems are what is important when the images behind the words compliment rather than distract the viewer. 

Peng and Fuks did an excellent job at educating about the Hakka women and anyone who wants to learn about these remarkable women should view this film. The filmmakers seem to know best to let those who experienced the hardships of being Hakka women should be the ones to tell their own stories rather than through a secondary source. The way each poem was written and visualized is a way that will stick with the viewer for quite some time. 

By: Victoria Angelique (Olson)

Directed by Suzon Fuks, Ya-Ling Peng

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