媒介与社会性别精品课程专题演讲 The Representation of Homosexuality in Chinese Mainstream Cinema Wei wei ph. D Department of Sociology East China Normal University
The Representation of Homosexuality in Chinese Mainstream Cinema Wei Wei, Ph.D. Department of Sociology East China Normal University 媒介与社会性别精品课程专题演讲
Question a Can you list some Chinese films that touch the issue of homosexuality? 口 Hong Kong 口 Taiwan 口 Mainland china
Question ◼ Can you list some Chinese films that touch the issue of homosexuality? Hong Kong Taiwan Mainland China
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Contradictory Realities a Chinese queer cinemas as a phenomenon in festival and art house circuit(Lim 2006) image-making(of a new and open china) and international fascination cater to global film-viewing subject a Internationally recognized while domestically banned media censorship and sym bolic annihilation of homosexuality few exceptions in recent years
◼ Contradictory Realities Chinese queer cinemas as a phenomenon in festival and art house circuit (Lim 2006) ◼ image-making (of a new and open China) and international fascination ◼ cater to global film-viewing subject Internationally recognized while domestically banned ◼ media censorship and symbolic annihilation of homosexuality ◼ few exceptions in recent years
Homosexuality in Chinese society/ Chinese films: Aimei Ambiguity Video clip: And the Spring Comes ■ Discussion Question a What is the issue related to the character of mr hu? Provide evidences and clues from the film? a Is it possible to make any 立春 alternative interpretation? According to this film, what does it mean to be homosexual in Chinese society?
Homosexuality in Chinese society/ Chinese films: Aimei Ambiguity ◼ Video clip: And the Spring Comes ◼ Discussion Question What is the issue related to the character of Mr. Hu? Provide evidences and clues from the film? Is it possible to make any alternative interpretation? According to this film, what does it mean to be homosexual in Chinese society?
■暧昧Aime| Ambiguity aIt is defined as follows: 1)dim; 2) ambiguous, suspicious, not clearly stated; 3)ambivalent; 4)equivocal divergence of two or more definitions. (Ci Hai)
◼ 暧昧 /Aimei /Ambiguity It is defined as follows: 1) dim; 2) ambiguous, suspicious, not clearly stated; 3) ambivalent; 4) equivocal divergence of two or more definitions. (Ci Hai)
a Ambiguity as a cultural legacy a Homosexuality was represented in an ambiguous and fragmented way in Chinese history. It was suppressed by mainstream society on the one hand, but it also maintained its own cultural space a This kind of ambiguity has also deeply affected the representation of homosexuality in Chinese films a Ambiguity as a political strategy
◼ Ambiguity as a cultural legacy Homosexuality was represented in an ambiguous and fragmented way in Chinese history. It was suppressed by mainstream society on the one hand, but it also maintained its own cultural space. This kind of ambiguity has also deeply affected the representation of homosexuality in Chinese films. ◼ Ambiguity as a political strategy
If you are the one A Breakthrough? 2009冯小 ■ A New Year Greeting comedy directed by Feng Xiaogang a Most successful commercial 面用且长斯谓伊人 film to date for chinese CInema ■ Video clip a First time ever portray a homosexual figure in a mainstream Chinese film
If You Are the One: A Breakthrough? ◼ A ‘New Year Greeting’ comedy directed by Feng Xiaogang ◼ Most successful commercial film to date for Chinese cinema ◼ Video clip: First time ever portray a homosexual figure in a mainstream Chinese film
a How can homosexuality be represented in a popular movie at present China? representation of homosexuals must be stereotypicalinar a First, catering to mainstream cultural standards and popu imagination under a strict surveillance system, the order to conform to what heteronormativity demands a Secondly, for a successful commercial film, the producers must lend a sensible ear to the newest developments in Chinese society, which partially manifest themselves through the appearance of contemporary homosexual discourses in the film, revealing its divergence from previous Chinese queer films 口 Lastly, the films“ Advancing With Time” cannot change its nature of the symbolic degradation towards LGBt groups that prevails in a heteronormative culture Relating to the overall plotline of lf You Are the one, the contemporary homosexual discourses are ridiculed in the film by Fengian humor, thus dissolving the potentially positive impact of the film and strengthening the tyranny of heteronormativity
◼ How can homosexuality be represented in a popular movie at present China? First, catering to mainstream cultural standards and popular imagination under a strict surveillance system, the representation of homosexuals must be stereotypical in order to conform to what heteronormativity demands. Secondly, for a successful commercial film, the producers must lend a sensible ear to the newest developments in Chinese society, which partially manifest themselves through the appearance of contemporary homosexual discourses in the film, revealing its divergence from previous Chinese queer films. Lastly, the film’s “Advancing With Time” cannot change its nature of the symbolic degradation towards LGBT groups that prevails in a heteronormative culture. Relating to the overall plotline of If You Are the One, the contemporary homosexual discourses are ridiculed in the film by Fengian humor, thus dissolving the potentially positive impact of the film and strengthening the tyranny of heteronormativity
Homosexual Portrayal, Gender freak Qing:"From administration! Transferred from the army art troupe?” Ai:“ I was in logistics.” Qing:"Anyways, in charge of entertainment. Back then, you were a cute little boy. I remember you had a single eyelids. How 纬做的 come your eyelids are now doubled?"i Ai: Had them done in South Korea. (Scene 1 If You Are the One) n Surgical procedure to double eyelids is a popular practice in East Asian countries
Homosexual Portrayal, Gender Freak Qing: “From administration! Transferred from the army art troupe?” Ai: “I was in logistics.” Qing: “Anyways, in charge of entertainment. Back then, you were a cute little boy. I remember you had a single eyelids. How come your eyelids are now doubled?”[i] Ai: “Had them done in South Korea.” (Scene 1, If You Are the One) [i] Surgical procedure to double eyelids is a popular practice in East Asian countries