Traditional Culture in Chinese Movies: The Case of Movies Shot in Huizhou

IF 0.2 4区社会学 Q4 AREA STUDIES

African and Asian Studies Pub Date : 2021-12-14 DOI:10.1163/15692108-12341511

Zhaosheng Tong

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引用次数: 3

Abstract

Movies are often viewed as important tools to promote cultural communication. Many international moviegoers and researchers endorse Chinese movies as authentic representation of traditional Chinese history and culture. However, in this era of commercialism, movies are often produced as commercial products to win the maximum profits at global market; thus, the history and culture in Chinese movies are often reshaped and reconfigured to meet the taste of foreign moviegoers. This paper uses Judou (1990), Inkstone Bed (1995) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), three movies shot in Huizhou, a land known for its profound traditional culture, as a case study to explore how and why traditional culture is reshaped and reconfigured. The results show that those three movies diverge from traditional culture in one way or another. The distortion or stigmatization of Huizhou culture in Judou and Inkstone Bed caters to global audience’s preconceived notion of a corrupted and chaotic “ancient China.” Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon transcends local settings to address cross-cultural and multinational themes. With a diversity of cultural elements hybridized and well-attuned, it sets a good example for Chinese movies to win global recognition and commercial success worldwide.

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中国电影中的传统文化——以惠州电影为例

电影通常被视为促进文化交流的重要工具。许多国际观影者和研究人员认为中国电影是中国传统历史和文化的真实再现。然而，在这个商业化的时代，电影往往是作为商业产品生产的，以在全球市场上赢得最大利润；因此，中国电影中的历史和文化经常被重塑和重新配置，以满足外国观众的口味。本文以《菊豆》（1990年）、《砚床》（1995年）和《卧虎藏龙》（2000年）这三部在传统文化底蕴深厚的徽州拍摄的电影为个案，探讨传统文化是如何被重塑和重构的。结果表明，这三部电影在某种程度上偏离了传统文化。《菊豆与砚床》对徽州文化的扭曲或污名化，迎合了全球观众对“古代中国”腐朽混乱的先入为主的观念。它融合了多种文化元素，为中国电影赢得全球认可和商业成功树立了良好的榜样。

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来源期刊

African and Asian Studies AREA STUDIES-

CiteScore

0.60

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The journal presents a scholarly account of studies of individuals and societies in Africa and Asia. Its scope is to publish original research by social scientists in the area of anthropology, sociology, history, political science and related social sciences about African and Asian societies and cultures and their relationships. The journal focuses on problems and possibilities, past and future. Where possible, comparisons are made between countries and continents. Articles should be based on original research and can be co-authored.