Home>Course>China on Screen>CHES3101/ CCSS3440

Many 20th century Chinese films were concerned with issues of nationhood, identity, trauma, and a national past. In recent years, however, while some directors have continued to focus on the nation’s past, others have chosen to look at the present and the effects of globalization on Chinese society and culture. This course asks that students begin to understand Chinese cinema(s) as transnational, a triangular composite of Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong cinema that has also been influenced by Hollywood, Japanese and Korean cinema, amongst others. Students will be introduced to Chinese film history and criticism via an examination of twelve films directed by some of Greater China’s most skilled directors.

Week 1 (10/1): Introduction

Week 2 (17/1): The Goddess (1934)

Week 3 (31/1): Spring River Flows East (1947)

Week 4 (7/2): My Kingdom for a Husband (1957)

***Friday 10 February Assignment 1 Due***

Week 5 (14/2): The Private Eyes (1976)

Week 6 (21/2): A City of Sadness (1989)

Week 7 (28/2): 92 Legendary de Rose Noire (1992)

Week 8 (14/3): Guest talk: The Dream Factory (1997) by Dr Bruce Yung-Hang Lai

***Friday 17 March Assignment 2 Due***

Week 9 (21/3): Farewell My Concubine (1993)

Week 10 (28/3): Happy Together (1997)

***Friday 31 March Short Assignment 3 Due***

Week 11 (4/4): Cape No. 7 (2008)

Week 12 (11/4): Mountains May Depart (2015)

Week 13 (17-21/4 week): Fieldtrip to Hong Kong Heritage Museum: Hong Kong Pop 60+

***Friday 21 April Final Assignment Due***