History of Chinese Cinema

A brief introduction and overview:

History of Chinese Cinema (Cont.)

• Historically there have been 3 distinct threads of Chinese cinema: Chinese cinema, Cinema of Hong Kong, and Cinema of Taiwan.

• Cinema was introduced to China in 1896. The first film with sound was created in 1931. The first film to use color was developed in 1948.

• The 1930’s was considered the first ‘golden age’ of Chinese cinema. The second golden age took place after World War II. Many films created during this time are, to this day, well received by audiences and critics alike.

Popular forms of Chinese film

• Mainland China- Historical dramas

• Hong Kong- Westernized mainstream (comedies/action movies)

• Taiwan- TV dramas

• All three movie businesses are intertwined. For example, a Taiwanese-financed movie could be filmed in Mainland China with Hong Kong actors. (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon)

Chinese Film Popularity

• China is the fastest growing movie market in the world• Box Office sale have risen 64% in 2010 and 29% in 2011(over 2

billion dollars)• Third largest film producer in the world (After India and US)• Makes over 500 films a year

Growth and Popularity of Chinese Cinema

Chinese Romance Films

Chinese Romantic Tradition

• 才子佳人: literature of the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties• Romantic films are often historical.• Chinese romance does not depend on a happy ending. These

stories are often tragic.• Often reflect the collectivistic society (presentation of match-

makers, as well as parental influence in partner selection)

China (cont’d)

• Emphasis on the union benefiting community. (interpersonal harmony)

• More recent films express more concern for mutual attraction and companionate romance.

• Functional relationship dynamics / purposeful• Modern romance in China follows a plot similar to the American

pattern.(ex: 不能說的秘密(2007)

American Romance

• Heavily influenced by French romantic tradition of courtly love.• Cinema is sometimes historical or refigured from literary works. • Romance in America is usually light-hearted and endearingly

funny. (Rom-Com)• Focuses on the physical attraction and compatibility of the couple,

esp. sexually.

America (cont’d)

• Emphasis on personal preference and satisfaction. (Recent Example: Cinderella [2015])

• Rom-Com’s follow a predictable, genre specific plot pattern. We know how it will go. Everytime. (Ex: Pretty Woman; The Bounty Hunter)

Romance Scene- Ariel Lin & Chen Bolin (In Time with You)

Sources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caizi_jiaren• http://sitemaker.umich.edu/psy457_lamyiu/culture_s_role• http://www.neoamericanist.org/review/romantic-comedy-boy-

meets-girl-meets-genre

Chinese Comedy MoviesCharacteristics and examples of both Chinese and American comedy

movies

Chinese Comedy Overview

• Historically been in the top three types of movies enjoyed by Chinese audiences.

• It is the third most popular movie genre in China currently.

• Comedy movies were strictly restricted during the reign of Mao. As a result very few comedies were made during this time.

Common Elements of Chinese Humor:

• Slapstick (闹剧 or 喜剧)

• Mo Lei Tau (Cantonese) ---- 無厘頭

• Kung Fu Comedy

• Comedy has been an important part of Chinese cinema since its creation.

• It has been used to foil serious concepts such as wealth inequality and the urban poor.

喜剧 Slapstick Elements

• Slapstick humor is the oldest form of comedy portrayed in Chinese movies.

• Common and used by all film traditions, notably in its earlier years.

• Similar to Western Movies from ‘Three Stooges’ or FarrellyBrothers

喜剧 Slapstick Elements (cont.)

• Recognized as a physical stunt, usually a fall, a slap, a punch etc, often accompanied by a sound effect. The humor is always found in the physical action, not found in spoken words.

• Facial expressions are an essential element of slapstick humor.

喜剧 Slapstick Elements (cont.)

Slapstick in Chinese Film: Street Angel (1937)

Slapstick in American Films(1930-1940)

喜剧 Slapstick Elements (cont.)

Modern Slapstick in Chinese Film

Modern Slapstick in American Film

無厘頭 Elements

• Literally means “makes no sense”.

• Is unique to Chinese film. Stephen Chow is the most famous person known for this style.

• Is a combination is physical comedy AND spoken comedy.

• The element of surprise is essential and utilized during physical stunts.

無厘頭 Elements (cont.)

• Generally, a Mo Lei Tau scene gives one the feeling of incongruity, consisting of rapid comic banter, non-sequiturs, anachronisms, fourth wall references, and Cantonese slang and word play.

• Physical stunts are never telegraphed and always occur quickly and with surprise.

無厘頭 Elements (cont.)

Elements of classic無厘頭style:

Combines physical and verbal humor mixed together:

Kung Fu Comedy

• One of the popular Chinese genres to have wide appeal outside of China.

• Originated in the early 1980’s with Jackie Chan in China. International success started in the mid 1990’s.

• Genre aims to combine action with comedy.

Kung Fu Comedy

• The comedy variant of kung fudiffers from traditional action fighting scenes by focus on escape instead of the elimination of foes.

• Facial expressions are also important in order to create the intended humorous effect.

• Movies like Rush Hour are American versions of kung fucomedy. Chinese martial artists are still used.

Kung Fu Comedy

Notice changed focus of fight scene:

Facial Expressions used for humorous effect during scene:

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/v/xhRdIdVMcwY

https://www.youtube.com/v/VVHCWvlVfiw

https://www.youtube.com/v/W9kQf_te2EA

https://www.youtube.com/v/1lEGksNbk18

https://www.youtube.com/v/9QBF-uqqF1M

https://www.youtube.com/v/uV-dqhGd-YQ

https://www.youtube.com/v/7QL_SzgixGk

https://www.youtube.com/v/zTK6eJei7wY

https://www.youtube.com/v/DrRFzwPE0d4

Chinese Action Movies

Types of Chinese Action Movies

• 武俠 (Martial Hero)

• 功夫 (Kung Fu)

武俠 Background

• Genre of Chinese fiction that focuses on the adventures of martial artists in Ancient China.

• The martial artist usually follows the code of xia (遊俠), which literally means “wandering force”

• Refers to how the martial artists travel throughout China to help the common people against the powerful and corrupt (Such as the monarchy)

武俠 Movie Production

• Utilized sophisticated action choreography using wire and trampoline assisted acrobatics combined with sped-up camera techniques.

• Stories from early films loosely adapted from existing literature of the time

武俠 Elements

• 武俠 literally means martial hero

• Sometimes can refer to a swordsman or swordswoman

• Heroes in 武俠 typically do not serve a lord; also often originates from lower social classes

武俠 Typical Protagonist Characteristics

• Set in ancient or pre-modern China

• Experiences some sort of tragedy

• Undergoes certain trials and tribulations

• Emerges a powerful fighter

• Follows 遊俠 and fights for the weak

武俠 Fight Scenes

HeroCrouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

功夫

功夫 Background

• Translates to “working man”• refers to any study, learning,

or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete

• Did not originally mean martial arts; Western thought

功夫 Movie Elements

• shared many of the traits of 武俠

• Kung Fu protagonists held chivalrous beliefs similar to 遊俠

• Focuses more on realistic fighting, unlike 武俠

功夫 Movie Scenes

Enter the Dragon IP Man

Image sources

• https://kiaikick.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/crouching.jpg• http://cdn.collider.com/wp-content/image-

base/movies/h/hero/hero%20jet%20li%20movie%20image.jpg• http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5cqzOo6B0Ic/hqdefault.jpg• http://ui.sina.com/2014/1020/U45P5029DT20141020143124.jpg• https://arsuka.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/hero_b.jpg

Sources

• http://chinafilmbiz.com/tag/china-box-office-share-by-genre/

• http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat7/sub42/item245.html