Description
This module focuses on the history and development of Hong Kong cinema from the 1950s to 1997. We will investigate and explore the historical development of Hong Kong cinema from socio-political, cultural, economic, and industrial angles, focusing on various popular genres (including melodrama, wuxia (swordplay film), the crime film, period action martial arts, horror, romantic comedy), different film movements and modes of production (including the Hong Kong New Wave and the Category III film), aesthetics, and the impact that local, regional and international markets have had. We will analyse films by key directors that can, amongst others, include Lee Tit, Evan Yang, King Hu, Allen Fong, Tsui Hark, John Woo, Johnny Mak, Billy Tang and Ricky Lau, and assess how their films also help us to critically analyse Hong Kong鈥檚 history, society, politics and culture. We will pay special attention to how momentous historical events, including the 1967 riots, the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984, the 1997 handover, have impacted Hong Kong cinema and how filmmakers negotiated these events in their films. We will also focus on the languages of Hong Kong cinema, how the consistently evolving Hong Kong identity and city is represented in cinema, the political status of Hong Kong cinema, and Hong Kong cinema鈥檚 relationship to the concept of 鈥淐hinese鈥 cinema. Critical approaches to film studies will also be assessed, including genre theory, formal film language, auteur theory, censorship studies, and reception studies, which students will be able to apply to other film related courses.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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