Women in Chinese Martial Arts Films of the New Millennium

Narrative Analyses and Gender Politics

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Communication, Entertainment, Film, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Gender Studies
Cover of the book Women in Chinese Martial Arts Films of the New Millennium by Ya-chen Chen, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ya-chen Chen ISBN: 9780739139103
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: April 12, 2012
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Ya-chen Chen
ISBN: 9780739139103
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: April 12, 2012
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

Women and Gender in Chinese Martial Arts Films of the New Millennium, by Ya-chen Chen, is an excavation of underexposed gender issues focusing mainly on contradictory and troubled feminism in the film narratives. In the cinematic world of martial arts films, one can easily find representations of women of Ancient China released from the constraints of patriarchal social order to revel in a dreamlike space of their own. They can develop themselves, protect themselves, and even defeat or conquer men. This world not only frees women from the convention of foot-binding, but it also "unbinds" them in terms of education, critical thinking, talent, ambition, opportunities to socialize with different men, and the freedom or right to both choose their spouse and decide their own fate. Chen calls this phenomenon "Chinese cinematic martial arts feminism."

The liberation is never sustaining or complete, however; Chen reveals the presence of a glass ceiling marking the maximal exercise of feminism and women's rights which the patriarchal order is willing to accept. As such, these films are not to be seen as celebrations of feminist liberation, but as enunciations of the patriarchal authority that suffuses "Chinese cinematic martial arts feminism." The film narratives under examination include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (directed by Ang Lee); Hero (Zhang Yimou); House of the Flying Daggers (Zhang Yimou); Seven Swords (Tsui Hark); The Promise (Chen Kaige); The Banquet (Feng Xiaogang); and Curst of the Golden Flower (Zhang Yimou). Chen also touches upon the plots of two of the earliest award-winning Chinese martial arts films, A Touch of Zen and Legend of the Mountain, both directed by King Hu.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Women and Gender in Chinese Martial Arts Films of the New Millennium, by Ya-chen Chen, is an excavation of underexposed gender issues focusing mainly on contradictory and troubled feminism in the film narratives. In the cinematic world of martial arts films, one can easily find representations of women of Ancient China released from the constraints of patriarchal social order to revel in a dreamlike space of their own. They can develop themselves, protect themselves, and even defeat or conquer men. This world not only frees women from the convention of foot-binding, but it also "unbinds" them in terms of education, critical thinking, talent, ambition, opportunities to socialize with different men, and the freedom or right to both choose their spouse and decide their own fate. Chen calls this phenomenon "Chinese cinematic martial arts feminism."

The liberation is never sustaining or complete, however; Chen reveals the presence of a glass ceiling marking the maximal exercise of feminism and women's rights which the patriarchal order is willing to accept. As such, these films are not to be seen as celebrations of feminist liberation, but as enunciations of the patriarchal authority that suffuses "Chinese cinematic martial arts feminism." The film narratives under examination include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (directed by Ang Lee); Hero (Zhang Yimou); House of the Flying Daggers (Zhang Yimou); Seven Swords (Tsui Hark); The Promise (Chen Kaige); The Banquet (Feng Xiaogang); and Curst of the Golden Flower (Zhang Yimou). Chen also touches upon the plots of two of the earliest award-winning Chinese martial arts films, A Touch of Zen and Legend of the Mountain, both directed by King Hu.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book The Habits of Racism by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Women of Color and Social Media Multitasking by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book The Rural Cemetery Movement by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Mexicano and Latino Politics and the Quest for Self-Determination by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book The Politics and Philosophy of Chinese Power by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Identity and Schooling among the Naxi by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Struwwelpeter: Humor or Horror? by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book The Legacy Structure of Russia’s One Hundred Year Transformation by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Rural Transition in Azerbaijan by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book State and Intellectuals in Turkey by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book The Antipodean Philosopher by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Reflecting on Service-Learning in Higher Education by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book God on High by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book Gender, Race, and Sudan's Exile Politics by Ya-chen Chen
Cover of the book The Making of Jewish Universalism by Ya-chen Chen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy