Module description
This module will provide an introduction to the cinemas of the Sinosphere – i.e. the Chinese cultural and political world and theChinese-speaking communities outside it -- and also an investigation of cinema and the ideas and practices of the national and thetransnational. Filmmakers such as Ann Hui, Tsai Ming-liang, Pema Tseden, Jia Zhang-ke, and Wong Karwai have made the films of theSinosphere world-renowned. This module will include well-known filmmakers such as these, but we will also move beyond them todevelop a deeper and broader understanding of the cinematic contexts they come from.For many decades, the concept of "national cinema" has framed work on film from different countries. It assumes the cinemaexpresses national identity. However, as the assumptions about national identity have been questioned, so the viability of the conceptof "national cinema" has come into question. The historical existence of two competing Chinese national projects in the People'sRepublic of China and the Republic of China, together with the autonomous spaces of Hong Kong and various points on the Chinesediaspora, mean that cinemas of the Sinosphere are an ideal site for the investigation of cinema and the national/transnational as aproblematic, rather than something to be taken for granted. This project will structure the module.
Assessment details
- Participation (15%)
- 2000-word essay (25%)
- 3000-word essay (60%)
Educational aims & objectives
| Educational aims |
| This 2nd - year option module will provide an introduction to the world of Chinese cinemas and also an investigation of cinema and the ideas and practices of the national and the transnational. Filmmakers such as Ann Hui, Tsai Ming - liang, Ang Lee, Jia Zhang - ke, and Wong Karwai have made Chinese films the most popular of non - Western films on the world cinema circuit over the last two decades and more. This class will include well - known filmmakers such as these, but we will also move beyond them to develop a deeper and broader understanding of the cinematic context they come from. For many decades, the concept of 'national cinema' has framed work on film from different countries. It assumes the cinema expresses national identity. However, as the assumptions about national identity have been questioned, so the viability of the concept of 'national cinema' has come into question The existence of two competing Chinese national projects in the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, together with the autonomous spaces of Hong Kong and various points on the Chinese diaspora, mean that Chinese cinemas are an ideal site for the investigation of cinema and the national as a problematic. This project will structure the module. |
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a level 5 module and in particular will be able to: 1. understand the concepts of both 'national' and 'transnational' cinema; 2. use theoretical models concerning ideas of nation, national cinema and transnational cinema to analyse specific examples of Chinese films; 3. compare the way in which these ideas help us to understand the way meaning is made in different kinds of films; 4. discuss the contexts from within which key Chinese filmmakers emerge; 5. produce a detailed piece of textual analysis focusing on key moments in particular examples of Chinese cinema in response to structured essay questions 6. articulate clear understanding of and perspectives on individual films and readings in oral presentations.