Taiwanese Music Master Li Zhe-yang's Hidden Archives Revealed in Son's Documentary

The documentary "The Dancer's Solo" sheds light on the life of Li Zhe-yang, a significant figure in Taiwanese music and cultural work, whose story was largely overlooked due to political persecution during the White Terror era. Director Li Li-shao, Li Zhe-yang's son, uses a wealth of his father's preserved recordings, manuscripts, and historical archives to piece together a neglected chapter of Taiwan's history and music.

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I wanted to trace his past further, to try and piece together the world he pursued throughout his life, including his setbacks and the history obscured by the era, and of course, myself.

Li Zhe-yang was studying music in 1949 when his father was executed on charges of "knowing a communist but not reporting it." Shortly after, Li Zhe-yang himself was expelled from school and placed under long-term surveillance. In a symbolic act of reconciliation, the president of the National Taipei University of Education, where Li Zhe-yang had studied, presented a posthumous diploma to his widow, Lin Si-duan, 75 years later.

Despite the political turmoil, Li Zhe-yang forged a unique path. He became a pioneer in the Taiwanese folk song collection movement of the 1960s, traveling extensively and deeply engaging with indigenous communities. He also translated numerous music works and edited "Music Digest" for nearly two decades, serving as a vital conduit for global musical ideas to reach Taiwan's music enthusiasts and intellectuals during a time of limited information.

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The university, upholding the spirit of pursuing truth, human rights, and transitional justice, hopes that by awarding an honorary diploma, it can soothe the traumatic memories of victims and their families.

Director Li Li-shao was motivated to make the film after discovering his father's neglected archives in 2019. "I wanted to trace his past further, to try and piece together the world he pursued throughout his life, including his setbacks and the history obscured by the era, and of course, myself," he shared. The film reveals the fear and loneliness Li Zhe-yang carried beneath his gentle demeanor and offers a deeper understanding of the era's impact on individual lives.

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I hope the government and society will learn from historical lessons and treat people with fairness and prudence, avoiding similar human rights persecutions from happening again.

"The Dancer's Solo" premiered on June 11 and will be broadcast on PTS and available on PTS+. The film aims to bring attention to the passion Li Zhe-yang invested in researching indigenous and folk music, highlighting how many important figures, cultural elements, and memories are often forgotten before being rediscovered and reinterpreted.

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Many important figures, cultures, and memories are continuously overlooked and forgotten, then rediscovered and reinterpreted by later generations. I hope through this documentary, more people can see my father's passion for his long-term dedication to indigenous and folk music research.