Embracing Dream and Identity
In the 90s of the century, many important events happened between China and Hong Kong. Without questioning, one of the most influential incidents happened during this period of time was Hong Kong’s reunion with China in July 1997; it transformed Hong Kong from a colonial dependent territory to a Chinese administration region. The local Hong Kong people felt disoriented of their futures and many of them came to the question of their national identities; it is because the different political and educational system between Hong Kong and China makes the local Hong Kong people feel differentiated from the mainland Chinese people. Since Hong Kong and China has been separated for a few decades, the local Hong Kong
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Many themes are depicted in these movies, and yet, the topic which has been most discussed is the exploration of identity. I will discuss in the following of my paper on three Hong Kong movies I pick, Full Moon in New York (Dir. Stanley Kwan, 1989), Her Fatal Ways (Dir. Alfred Cheung, 1990), and Comrades, Almost a Lover Story (Dir. Peter Chan, 1997) as reference to illustrate my idea into a deeper level. Full Moon in New York (Dir. Stanley Kwan, 1989), is a tale of three Chinese women who has a different cultural background and immigrate to New York out of their distinct purposes. Zhao-Hong, starring Siqin Gaowa, plays a submissive housewife who gains her legal status in U.S. after married to an American citizen, Thomas. Although her husband and she are able to make a decent living in Manhattan, however, she is barely coping with strange Western ways. The other two actresses in the leading role are Sylvia Chang and Maggie Cheung. Sylvia plays as an aspiring actress and Maggie Cheung plays an ambitious successful business woman. These three women meet at a diner, which Maggie owns, and their friendship forges on since then. One of the most important themes has been portrayed in this movie is the cultural conflicts between the Western and Eastern culture. Such differences are well represented in the relationship of Zhao-Hong and her husband. No
Nevertheless, Asian-American stars are recognized extremely played prototypical roles offered to them – model minority, sexualized the female or masculine women. There is much argument within the Asian American community whether to consider Liu as a protagonist or a hateful. In playing highlighting sexuality roles such as Ling Woo on Ally McBeal, a role who is a ‘self-described “tramp” … simultaneously addicted to casual sex and uses sex to have her way with men’ (Goldsea.com 2008). Is she bolstering the sexploitation of Asian females, or is she an Asian image who plays her strong points? Moreover, there are already some problems in the critical writing as to whether Liu is to be considered an action star or an actor. Some argues that, in Charlie’s Angels
This paper was prepared for Introduction to Film History, Module 1 Homework Assignment, taught by Professor Stephanie Sandifer.
Mazierska discusses the overarching theme “trapped in presence” in Wong Kar Wei’s movie as postmodern implication that correlates to Wong’s addicted uses of montage and symbolism in narration and editing (p8, Mazierska). As he considers, Wong’s works share the similarity with several postmodern authors. “The notion of alternative temporalities is central to the narrative organization to postmodern novels, such as those of Italo Calvino and Alain Robber-Grillet.”(p17, Mazierska and Rascaroli). James Udden also argues in “the Stubborn Persistence of Local In Wong Kar-wai” that Wong’s popularity is credited to his typically post-modern philosophy of denying his Hong Kong identity and embracing it at the same time (finnayson, p143). In some more relevant cases, Flannery Wilson discusses Wong’s overlapping narration between presence and future in 2046 as the manifestation of Deleuze’s theory of “crystal of time,” vaguely alluding to the notion that virtual and the real intermingles in 2046 (p164, Finnayson). Brunette also postulates that the sense of resisting the advancement of time correlates to what the Fredric Jameson terms as “longing for the present. (Teo, p358) ” Although it is evident that every production of Wong concerns the subject of love, few theorists have been found so far who posit Wong’s interpretation of love in a post-modernistic framework. The one who got closest to this
1.Describe the main characters of the film: Who are they? What are their motivations? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are the obstacles they face?
This film highlights the flaws of humanity in a western world. The films ability to touch on topics of classism, prostitution, and alcoholism makes the content mature and unlike typical western films. This revolutionary and innovative western created a foundation for many future films. The sophistication of the content, and lack of adherence to the production code makes this film an “adult”
Despite the fact that Asian Americans have been in Hollywood for decades, there are very few positive representations of them in film. More often than not, they’ve been depicted as stereotypical caricatures, and more specifically, as foreigners who can’t speak grammatically correct English. Moreover, the negative representations of Asian Americans in film has perpetuated certain misconceptions about their culture. Chan is Missing (1982) calls for more genuine representations of Asian American identities through its cast of complex characters and defiance of Asian stereotypes. The film also urges its viewers to critically think about their own notions of identity through the use of several recurring themes and filmmaking techniques.
Bart Layton built this doc not from one perspective, but from a collection of them. Some stories, like “The Imposter” need a panoptic approach to connect the audience to the film. The themes of manipulation, identity and love are the main themes conveyed by Layton. These themes are communicated through sounds and visual imagery.
Throughout the film, the idea of identity is expressed through crime drama conventions, such as Family History, Trust and Betrayal,
I will use four to five articles in my essay to show what roles Asian Americans get in the Hollywood movies. In general Asian Americans students are most academic achievers but when it comes to act in movies they are stereotyped and their English accent is used as foreign accent even thorough they are born American. I will give all the information that is used in media about Asian Americans. In the movie when a Caucasian movie star lies to be an Asian American. When the director know about that he is lying he is not an Asian he a Caucasian they start fighting and for the race. But he becomes a famous star in movies later on. After a while the director heard that his friend who is the Caucasian star’s girlfriend. He meets her and explains her and says, “I think he make you fool do you know he is not an Asian? He lied you for everything but she didn't listen and she starts arguing with his friend. Yellow face gives us a unique understanding of Asian stereotypes.
Development and adaptation of the western genre has occurred throughout the twentieth century in relation to the shift in context, this is still relevant. Stereotypes of a western genre and the context are determined by the time in which the film is being produced. The time in which they were produced determine how social construction, gender ideas, values and attitudes, the setting and SWAT codes are demonstrated. I have chosen to present this speech by looking at the film studied in class, and a film of my choice and how the difference in context has changed in the tie of these two films.
In subsequent years following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China came a revolutionary new approach to not only producing films, but also film’s very role in communist society. During this period the state gained complete control of the filmmaking industry, decreeing that the utilitarian functions of art and literature were to become a powerful weapon in serving the revolutionary struggle. In an otherwise artistically stifling period in which socialist realism pervaded all creative outlets, Xie Jin managed to retain some autonomy and emerged as one of the cleverest Chinese directors in the early 1960s. In his 1961 film Red Detachment of Women, Jin provides a classic revolutionary melodrama, yet also displays elements of formalism so that the viewer becomes conscious of the manipulations of his film technique. To analyze this film, I will use Mao Zedong’s 1942 “Talks at the Yan 'an Forum on Literature and Art,” clip #10 “Landmark 2,” and clip #6 “We are joining the red army” to elaborate on the major themes and cinematic style that distinguish Xie Jin’s work from his contemporaries.
The movie that I have chosen is a classic film from 1988 called Heathers. Heathers is an American cult black comedy film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann. The film portrays four teenage girls—three of whom are named Heather—in a clique and a teen named Veronica Sawyer who desperately wants to fit in, as well as a crazy and unstable boy named J.D that plans to ruin it all. The focus of this essay will be on three characters. Analyzing their internal and external battles, as well as their social interactions with loved ones and other members of their fictional society.
Ang Lee’s Crouching tiger Hidden Dragon is probably one of the most successful foreign films to ever be screened in America. Being the number one film of the year in 2000. On the other hand it was reportedly considered a flop in China. While it was influenced by American film styles, it still kept true to many aspects of its Chinese film heritage. With very apparent love story, it lacked the Extreme amount of Kung Fu fight scenes eastern audiences have come to enjoy. This is a stunning love story between a monk and widow. While it does have its share of over the top fight scenes, when you start to dig deeper the films many social implications become apparent. With ties to subjects such as religion, martial arts, philosophy, love, and even gender issues. This film is a representation of the modern era and how long practiced traditions are being challenged. Each character and plot line allows a glimpse into the Social and Traditional understanding of a culture.
As cultural identity being questioned in global screen due to the influences of transnational cinema and Diasporas in different places, this clip question further the possibilities in future transnational cinema. Through the emergence of cinema styles, all films are to be considered transnational. This essay will argue that transnational cinema could be emerging to a new level in the film industry. The clip provided with the essay explores the potential of transnational films with the context of films studied included in this subject.
The increasing threat to Hong Kong’s autonomy and consequently rising nationalism represent serious dangers to the success of “One country, two systems.” Rising resentment between people from mainland China and Hong Kongers has created a cleavage that will ultimately result in the arrangement’s inevitable failure. The culture gap between peoples will be a significant contributing factor in this failure. This culture gap, primarily defined by differences in language, development, and ideology will heighten tension and resentment between these two peoples. This tension between mainland China and Hong Kong will lead to greater political, cultural, and ideological animosity.