| Summary: | 碩士 === 世新大學 === 口語傳播學研究所 === 107 === By applying the rhetorical approach of fantasy-theme criticism, this study examines the documentary film titled Absent Without Leave which featured former members of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) as the main subjects. Because MCP was acknowledged as a political sensitive issue in Malaysia, so the award-winning documentary produced by Malaysia-born filmmaker— Lau Kek Huat, was banned from any exhibition in Malaysia (including DVD sales and distribution). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to interpret the main appeal of the documentary by analyzing the fantasy themes (setting, dramatis personae and actions), fantasy types and rhetorical vision.
The results of this study show the documentary includes four fantasy types which are ‘the transformation of national identity’, ‘the banned Malaysian anti-war heroes’, ‘the country which they can't return’ and ‘the generational isolation of the MCP members’.
Furthermore, the documentary shows the rhetorical vision which demonstrates those MCP members who were not acknowledged as Malaysian, despite they considered themselves as Malaysian.
By applying the methodological aspect of fantasy-theme criticism to examine Absent Without Leave at both micro- and macro-levels, this study attempts to arouse the public attention regarding the MCP issues and as to make a contribution to the relevant research projects in the future.
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