HU Ding-Yi is the most acclaimed Foley artist in Taiwan. Using unconventional methods with immense creativity and talent, HU produces all kinds of sound effects for films, helping the audience lose themselves in the imaginative worlds on the screen. HU has devoted the past 40 years, and his spirit of craftsmanship, to the film industry working on countless Chinese-language films, and witnessing the evolution of Taiwan’s film industry. However, with the explosion of digital sound effects, HU’s career now faces a crisis as he has to adapt himself to the changes.

From interviews with filmmakers, historical photos, film dialogues and references, this documentary uses multiple sources to trace the development of sound effects in the Chinese-language film industry and reveals this unsung filmmaking artistry. Following Master HU’s career, A Foley Artist adopts a historical perspective to look at technological developments in the post-production of sound from dubbing, music scoring and sound effects to final mixing. The film also extends its geographical scope, interviewing many sound artists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, to delve into the mastery of sound in Chinese-language films.

Available Formats: DVD, Blu-ray and DCP