The Expression of Values, Humanity and Aesthetics: The Appearance of Chinese Films in the New Stage

Abstract Since the turn of the 21st century, the creative focus of Chinese films has developed from “main theme films” to “new mainstream films”; this change has led to the transformation of Chinese films as the world’s second largest market, enabling the diversification of artistic creative types and the expression of spiritual connotations. Since 2012, new mainstream films in China have increasingly occupied the leading position in film creation, with many outstanding works being produced. The adherence to China’s mainstream values, as well as the multi-tiered and diverse types of creation, make Chinese films in this new stage an important representative of Chinese culture. The progress of new mainstream films may be seen in relation to the following aspects: cultural values, the expression of humanity, family ethics, and aesthetic expression, all of which are constantly advancing the development of Chinese films.