Yang Tsu-chuen and the Green Field Charity Concert
Synopsis
Documenting Taiwanâs first large-scale postwar outdoor concert, this film revisits the 1978 Grass Field Charity Concert, an unprecedented gathering of over 4,000 people. Organized by singer and television host Yang Tsu-Chun (æ„ç„çș) during the height of the islandâs folk song movement, the event foregrounded musicâs relationship with everyday life rather than overt political messaging. Yet its significance was inseparable from the eraâs tensions: Yangâs self-titled album had recently been banned for the perceived âleft-wingâ social consciousness of her lyrics, and despite the concertâs stated charitable intent, its scale and popular appeal drew the scrutiny of Kuomintang (KMT) intelligence agencies. Framed against late-1970s Taiwan, the film documents how music, public space, and cultural expression intersected under authoritarian surveillance, marking a pivotal moment in the history of popular music and collective gathering.
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in United States.
