39th Annual Student Research Conference
Trauma Beyond Politics: Memory and Family Rupture in Zhang Yimou’s Coming Home
Jack D. Hubbard*, Thirtha Karmakar, Jurgen Habilaj, and Tianyu Jiang
Prof. Zhijun Wen, Faculty Mentor
This project analyzes how Zhang Yimou’s Coming Home (2014) portrays the enduring psychological scars of the Cultural Revolution on family bonds and personal identity. Following intellectual Lu Yanshi’s return from a labor camp, the film centers on his wife Feng Wanyu’s trauma-induced memory loss. This study asks: how does the film construct memory and trauma, and how does this portrayal compare with historical accounts of Cultural Revolution–era persecution? Focusing on key scenes such as repeated train station visits and Lu’s failed attempts at recognition, the analysis shows how repetition and emotional restraint depict lasting psychological damage. These scenes are compared with scholarly studies and historical accounts of family separation and trauma. The project argues that, although the film depoliticizes its narrative to emphasize personal aftermath rather than overt critique, it powerfully illustrates trauma’s impact on everyday life and relationships while also revealing the limits of film as historical evidence.
Keywords:
Topic(s):History
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA