The Cinema of Hong Kong
History, Arts, Identity

This volume examines Hong Kong cinema in transnational, historical, and artistic contexts.

Poshek Fu (Edited by), David Desser (Edited by)

9780521776028, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 March 2002

348 pages, 36 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.3 x 2.2 cm, 0.57 kg

"More than half of the contributors are Asian - most of them ethnic Chinese; all experts on Hong Kong cinema - so English speakers will find historical, social, and economic data that is new to them. This book displays a variety, range and depth matching the values of its subject matter. Recommended for collections supporting film studies at all levels." Choice

The Cinema of Hong Kong examines one of the most popular, dynamic, and important cinema traditions in the history of film. Providing an overview of major directors, genres, and stars, from its origins to the present, this volume examines Hong Kong cinema in historical, transnational, cultural and political contexts. Individual chapters focus on Hong Kong cinema before and during World War II, the cinema of the turbulent 1960s, its rise to world prominence in the 1970s, its reception in the United States, and the revival of Cantonese cinema, among topics. Including contributions from a diverse roster of scholars, archivists, and film programmers, the book provides a wealth of new information and new conceptual framework, enabling a greater appreciation of the variety, range and depth of Hong Kong film.

List of contributors
Acknowledgements Poshek Fu and David Desser
Introduction Poshek Fu and David Desser
Chronology of Hong Kong cinema David Desser and Poshek Fu
Part I. History: 1. The Kung Fu craze: Hong Kong cinema's first American reception David Desser
2. The American connection in early Hong Kong cinema Law Kar
3. The 1960s: modernity, youth culture, and Hong Kong Cantonese cinema Poshek Fu
4. The 1970s: movement and transition Stephen Teo
Part II. Arts: 5. Richness through imperfection: King Hu and the glimpse David Bordwell
6. Space, place, and spectacle: the crisis cinema of John Woo Tony Williams
7. Besides fists and blood: Michael Hui and Cantonese comedy Jenny Lau
8. The film work of Ann Hui Patricia Erens
Part III. Identity: 9. Between Nationalism and Colonialism: mainland émigrés, marginal culture, Hong Kong cinema 1937–1941 Poshek Fu
10. Urban cinema and cultural identity of Hong Kong Leung Ping-Kwan
11. Rewriting history: Hong Kong nostalgia cinema and its social practice Natalia Chan Sui Hung
12. Filming diaspora and identity: Hong Kong and 1997 Sheldon Lu
13. Buying American, consuming Hong Kong: cultural commerce, fantasies of identity, and the cinema Gina Marchetti
14. Hong Kong electric shadows: a selected bibliography of studies in English H. C. Li
Index.

Subject Areas: Film theory & criticism [APFA]