The Cinematographic Expression of Macao’s Cultural Heritage Based on Roland Barthes’ Image Rhetoric Theory: The Bewitching Braids as an Example

Film serves as a powerful medium for preserving and spreading cultural heritage, maintaining its vitality. A study analyzing The Bewitching Braids, the first local film in Macao, reveals how it visually archives both tangible (Historic Centre of Macao) and intangible cultural heritage (religious beliefs, rituals, dialects). Using Roland Barthes’ image rhetoric theory, the research dissects the film’s linguistic and visual layers to show how these elements shape characters, advance plot, and express themes. This approach offers a framework for storytelling through cinema that effectively communicates cultural narratives, bridging academic analysis with public engagement.

Li, Y. (2023). The Cinematographic Expression of Macao’s Cultural Heritage Based on Roland Barthes’ Image Rhetoric Theory: The Bewitching Braids as an Example. Journal of Macau University of Science and Technology, 17(3), 61. https://doi.org/10.58664/mustjournal.2023.09.004