‘Flickering’ Jackie Chan: the actor-ambassadorial persona on photo-sharing sites

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Jackie Chan, analysing his cyber presence oscillating in the interstices of ethnically Chinese image and a cosmopolitan goodwill appeal. The discussion shows that Flickr hosts official photo albums featuring Jackie Chan’s movies and goodwill events whereas these visual images present Chan as a still-thriving martial artist and a patriotic ambassador. Such goodwill image is, arguably, a token to retain the star value and to ‘apologise’ after a public mistake. Furthermore, considering his star personae was once anchored in martial prowess and kinetic agility, giving him a strong ethnic branding, such ethnically branded image has become increasingly universal. This chapter, therefore, argues that the image functions crucial to his bridging role between his nation and the world.