Movies About China

How are "global issues in China" depicted in movies? Non-fiction documentaries may very well focus on one or more of these issues. But even fictional ones -- whether they are adventure, comedy, romance, martial arts, or animated -- are likely to depict issues in China as seen from the producers, directors or screen writers' point of view. However, neither non-fiction nor fictional movies should be taken as authoritative. They are subject to biased, stereotyping, or factual errors. But they have tremendous value when taken at face-value, and as a springboard for discussion and critique of the issues observed.

Tourbooks list movies as a vehicle to understand the culture. They can be extended to see how China handles a variety of global issues as well. For example, Lonely Planet China, 10th edition (by Damian Harper et. al., Lonely Planet Publications., 2007) lists its Top 10 Movies for China (page 24; or http://adventures.worldnomads.com/destination/45/travelguide/5.aspx). The global issues associated with each are listed below:

• Raise the Red Lantern (1991) Director: Zhang Yimou
  Global Issues: Role of women; Social hierarchies and class oppression
  
  
• Judou (1989) Director: Zhang Yimou
  Global Issues: Personal and family tragedies resulting from inflexible cultural traditions.
  
  
• Chungking Express (1994) Director: Wong Karwai
  Global Issues: : The psychology of loneliness, isolation and alienation in a modern urban city.
  
  
• City on Fire (1987) Director: Ringo Lam
  Global Issues: Hong Kong's social and economic order (or disorder) on its return to China.
  
  
• In the Mood for Love (2000) Director: Wong Karwai
  Global Issues: Ostracized immigrants in Hong Kong
  
  
• Drunken Master 2 (1994) Directors: Lau Karleung, Jackie Chan
  Global Issues: Conflict between foreigners versus loyalists about exporting antiques
  
  
• Infernal Affairs (2002) Directors: Lau Waikeung, Mak Siufai
  Global Issues: Police and crime syndicates
  
  
• Beijing Bicycle (2001) Director: Wang Xiaoshuai
  Global Issues: Personal and community negotiations with loss and injustice
  
  
• Shaolin Soccer (2001) Director: Stephen Chow
  Global Issues: The mystique and power of superhuman martial arts skills
  
  
• Farewell My Concubine (1993) Director: Chen Kaige
  Global Issues: How individual pursuits of life ambitions are shaped by history and cultural change.
  

[Editor's note: Global issues are identified based on personal viewing of the film and personal interpretation of the film's meanings.]

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Global Issues in China: Movies About China