Cinema, Space, and Polylocality in a Globalizing China

Yingjin Zhang

Yingjin Zhang

Cinema, Space, and Polylocality in a Globalizing China

In: Critical Interventions

University of Hawaii Press | 2009

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824837709

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About this book

In this milestone work, prominent China film scholar Yingjin Zhang proposes "polylocality" as a new conceptual framework for investigating the shifting spaces of contemporary Chinese cinema in the age of globalization. Questioning the national cinema paradigm, Zhang calls for comparative studies of underdeveloped areas beyond the imperative of transnationalism.

The book begins by addressing theories and practices related to space, place, and polylocality in contemporary China before focusing on the space of scholarship and urging scholars to move beyond the current paradigm and explore transnational and comparative film studies. This is followed by a chapter that concentrates on the space of production and surveys the changing landscape of postsocialist filmmaking and the transformation of China’s urban generation of directors. Next is an examination of the space of polylocality and the cinematic mappings of Beijing and a persistent "reel" contact with polylocality in hinterland China. In the fifth chapter Zhang explores the space of subjectivity in independent film and video and contextualizes experiments by young directors with various documentary styles. Chapter 6 calls attention to the space of performance and addresses issues of media and mediation by way of two kinds of playing: the first with documentary as troubling information, the second with piracy as creative intervention. The concluding chapter offers an overview of Chinese cinema in the new century and provides production and reception statistics.

Combining inspired critical insights, original observations, and new information, Cinema, Space, and Polylocality in a Globalizing China is a significant work on current Chinese film and a must-read for film scholars and anyone seriously interested in cinema more generally or contemporary Chinese culture.

Frontmatter Free access PDF PDF	i
Contents Free access PDF PDF	vii
List of Illustrations Free access PDF PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Free access PDF PDF	xi
1. Introduction: Cinema, Space, Polylocality Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	1
2. Space of Scholarship: Trans/National and Comparative Studies Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	16
3. Space of Production: Postsocialist Filmmaking Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	42
4. Space of Polylocality: Remapping the City Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	73
5. Space of Subjectivity: Independent Documentary Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	103
6. Space of Performance: Media and Mediation Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	138
7. Conclusion: Progress, Problems, Prospects Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	170
Notes Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	187
Filmography, Videography Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	219
Bibliography Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	231
Index Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	251

Cinema, Space, and Polylocality in a Globalizing China

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